Dear All

Welcome to day 1 of the discussion on the Media Bill 2010. We welcome those who have just subscribed to the mailing list.

As reported last week, the discussion will take 10 days where different concerns will be raised on different days. The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet), University of Nairobi (UoN), and the International Development and Research Center (IDRC) is launching the discussions as a  response to an invitation by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Information and Communication Dr. Bitange Ndemo's call for stakeholder input on two proposed draft bills (Media Bill and the Independent Communications Commission 2010 Bill. The Bills can be accessed on the ministry website:  http://www.information.go.ke.

The discussions will aim to obtain inputs from e-participants and other stakeholders, and begin to build consensus on the proposed draft bills. All comments, suggestions, edits and opinions relevant to the draft bills will be collated and will form part of KICTANet’s first draft report that will be validated at a face to face workshop in March 2011 (dates to be announced later).
 
The final report will be submitted to the Ministry of Information and Communication as well as the Parliamentary Select committee on Energy Information and Communication.

Today's discussion:

The purpose of the Media Council Bill:

An Act of Parliament to provide for the realization of the right to freedom of expression and freedom of media; for the establishment of the Media Council of Kenya; for the conduct and discipline of journalists and the media, and for connected purposes.

Article 33 of the Constitution provides for Freedom of Expression, while Article 34 provides for the freedom of Media. Further in Article 34, sub article 5, it states...Parliament shall enact legislation that provides for the establishment of a body which shall:

a) be independent of control by government, political interests or commercial interests;

b) reflect the sections of all sections of society; and

c) set media standards and regulate and monitor compliance with those standards.

We welcome responses/reflections to the following:

1.      Is the purpose (as stated above) satisfactory, or should it be enhanced to reflect the provisions in the constitution?

2.      Is this proposed Media Council best placed to perform and fulfill this purpose?

3.      Will the proposed Media Council enhance professionalism and growth of media in Kenya?

Rgds

Grace

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