The Nation Media Group (NMG) has claimed that the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has switched off the free-to-air signal of its television station, NTV.
In a statement on Wednesday, June 25, NMG described the move as unconstitutional, linking it to a directive circulated on social media by the CA instructing all broadcasters to halt live coverage of ongoing anti-government protests.
"This action has been taken without due process, following an advisory circulated on social media by the Authority instructing all television and radio stations to cease live coverage of countrywide anti-government protests,” the statement read.
The media house argued that the CA’s action is in violation of Article 34(2) of the Constitution, which protects the independence of the media and prohibits state interference in journalistic activities.
"Nation Media Group maintains that this move is a clear violation of Article 34(2) of the Constitution of Kenya, which guarantees the freedom and independence of the media. Specifically, the Constitution states: The State shall not-- (a) exercise control over or interfere with any person engaged in broadcasting, the production or circulation of any publication or the dissemination of information by any medium; or (b) penalise any person for any opinion or view or the content of any broadcast, publication or dissemination," the statement added.
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NMG also cited a recent High Court ruling that clarified that CA does not have jurisdiction over broadcasting content, adding that the interference amounts to suppression of the media.
"This authority has been constitutionally vested in the Media Council of Kenya. The Constitution provides established mechanisms for addressing any allegations of unprofessional media conduct—mechanisms that the CA or any aggrieved party should utilise to seek appropriate redress.
"The shutdown of NTV is therefore a direct interference with our editorial operations and a suppression of the media's constitutionally protected role to inform the public. At the time of the shutdown, NTV was responsibly covering ongoing protests, a matter of significant public interest and a constitutional right of the people to assemble and express dissent," the statement further read.
Other media outlets also reported disruptions following the CA directive.
Standard Group confirmed that its station, KTN, had also been removed from free-to-air platforms.
“KTN taken off-air following Communications Authority directive to halt live coverage of protests; but coverage continues on KTN News YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter platforms,” the broadcaster said in an update.
Royal Media Services' Hot96 Radio reported that CA enforcement officers had raided their transmission site.
“Enforcement officers from Communication Authority raid Citizen TV's main broadcasting site in Limuru to switch off live coverage of the ongoing protests," the radio station said.
