Edith /listers,
Apologies for the delay in responding to this post. We are really busy with the ongoing East African Communications Congress and Exhibition taking place at
the KICC.
The responsibility of regulating broadcast content falls under two state agencies, CCK and the Kenya Film and Classification Board. The latter is mandated
by law to classify all films for general exhibition (including those aired on TV). CCK on the other hand is supposed to regulate all other categories of broadcast content.
CCK was vested with this responsibility in 2010 vide an amendment to our establishing legislation. However, a broadcaster went to court challenging the constitutional
authority of CCK to regulate broadcasting content. Subsequently CCK was injuncted from exercising this responsibility until the matter is heard and determined. The matter is still before the courts, which means we cannot regulate broadcasting content in the
interim.
We had already developed the requisite regulatory tools and instruments in readiness to embarking on important responsibility of ensuring, among others, that
minors are protected from adult content. A draft programme code, for instance, had been developed in readiness. The said programme code will be subjected to stakeholder consultation, as soon as the said matter is concluded.
I hope this sheds light on this matter.
Christopher Wambua
Manager/Communications
Consumer and Public Affairs Division
Communications Commission of Kenya
P.O. Box 14448, NAIROBI 00800
KENYA
Isn’t this under CCK docket? And Media Council? Unfortunately, CCK is always silent on such issues on this list, they only advertise upcoming events, but don’t
engage in responding to key issues.
I do hope it’s different this time and they can tell us how they are regulating content or is it not under their mandate?
Edith
This definitely needs urgent action. People have spoken about this for ages yet nothing has been done to stop such vulgarity, especially on Radio.
Regards,
I am wondering whether the Media Council and CCK shouldn't step up their act.
(a) FM radio conversations during the morning commute where one hears vulgar language with explicit descriptions (jocular as they may be) of natural and "unnatural" sex acts, bestiality and the like.
And matatus faithfully tune in; and you are in the company of people of all manner of age: school kids, young working professionals, aging mothers/fathers, etc.
(b) In Nairobi recently, I sat down for afternoon coffee with a friend at a restaurant littered (across the walls) with flat screen TVs. Showing on the channel they had tuned into was a movie with
explicit love-making ... imagine the rest. Despite our protestations, the restaurant owner's ears appeared deaf!
Some people may say we need self-regulation but as a society we need some standards. We need some labeling of content that guide when it can be broadcast. For instance, adult content should be restricted
to the time between 9 pm and 5 am; day time content should, of necessity, be family-friendly.
Or what say you professionals and regulators?
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Agano Consulting Inc.; www.aganoconsulting.com; Twitter: nmatunda;
Skype: okiambe
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