Bw. Ndemo, Agreed. I have even challenged Editors at one media house to call in experts to explain the provisions of the Bill. First, the Media should rise to the "statemanship" they demand of the rest of us and accept the offer to openly and fairly debate the issues. They may televise this live on all channels since they have proved they can easily agree on collective approach. Secondly, we need to lobby individual media owners to tone down aspects of their campaign that have degenerated to an abuse of the national resources delegated to them. Genuine dialogue will be possible after they put their weapons away and pursue what is in the longterm interest of Kenya. Regards Wainaina On 12/15/08, bitange@jambo.co.ke <bitange@jambo.co.ke> wrote:

Dear Wainaina, If Media is as objective as David says, I will avail myself for a debate with whoever they select in order to help Kenyans understand these amendments. We must move from petty arguments to discussing real issues. I want to take this opportunity to thank the many jounalists who have expressed solidarity with Government to regulate electronic media. Reading through their smss and e_mails it is clear that the greatest threat to media freedom are media owners.

They rightfully point out that: The KCA ammendments is not a media bill as it seeks to introduce electronic transactions and broadcast; Electronic Media world over is regulated and this is what the bill seeks to achieve: Noone should be above the law; and We must salvage our moral standing by regulating content.

The rightful body that should be raising issues in this saga is the Media Council but instead it is the MOA. Just ask yourself what it is that MOA has to do with the rights of a journalist?

Ndemo.

Sent from my BlackBerry(R)

-----Original Message----- From: "Wainaina Mungai" <wainaina@madeinkenya.org>

Date: Sun, 14 Dec 2008 17:53:55 To: <bitange@jambo.co.ke> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions<kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> Subject: Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] Kenya communications (amendment) Bill: Is media overacting?

David,

I am very much involved the media and you & I know that it was agreed that the Action Plan includes a "blackout to..." as well as all the issues I indicated.The point is clear. I have told the truth relating to the content of the Action Plan.

The question of execution is separate. Ndemo having been on K24 is does not change much but it is not in line with the Action Plan....meaning, we need to complement K24 for that step.

Let's be honest in our submissions especially concerning such revelations.

Wainaina

On 12/14/08, dmakali@yahoo.com <dmakali@yahoo.com> wrote:

...

That's not true. You have obviously exaggerated in trying to put across your cheap propaganda. Ndemo was on k24 this morning and he was of course not opposing the bill. Plus, you should ask yourself, who has come out to support the bill and not been given airtime. Yes, the media is campaigning, but it has not yet agreed or employed any of the strategies you have listed. Their time is coming. And we don't need to go to previous regimes to show brutal attacks against the media. The worst have taken place under the current regime! You have more to be grateful than disgusted with the media. Be just a little more reflective and considerate otherwise your diabolical hatred of the media lacks foundation. David Sent from my BlackBerry(R) wireless device

-----Original Message----- From: "Wainaina Mungai" <wainaina@madeinkenya.org>

Date: Sun, 14 Dec 2008 17:08:09 To: <dmakali@yahoo.com> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions<kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> Subject: Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] Kenya communications (amendment) Bill: Is media overacting?

The truth is that the "supporters" you see on TV, hear on radio, read in papers are not by accident. The Media Owners Association (MoA) crafted a campaign strategy that includes the "media blackout to all MPs who supported the Bill and The Ministry of Information & Communications".

According to persons privy to the media campaign strategy, we have a big problem here and it's about time Kenyans were told the objective truth. Unfortunately, the people who own the media houses are determined to use every possible means to ensure the Bill is not signed. You will not hear a supporter of the Bill being given coverage.

Why?

The strategy is clearly not intended to yield an objective result. The intention is to shape public opinion even through biased reporting. The strategy includes:

1. Ensure President dioesn't sign the Bill, by publicly petitioning him. 2. Take advantage of Jamhuri Day to show images of raids conducted by previous regimes. 3. Run a media campaign that includes 'same headline' in all papers and similar headlines on electronic media. 4. Shape public opinion through campains and show that the Bill is unconstitutional...etc etc 5. Blackout all supporters of the Bill, Ministry & only invite civil society players who support the interests of the media. Keep watching and you'll notice the biased reporting. 6. The coverage of the issue in the weekend papers (circulation) is also part of the strategy. This will not stop until the President yields to the Media's agenda.

The media has the right to petition the President but the problem with their campaign is that Media Owners have actually agreed not to cover the issue objectively. They have conspired to shape public opinion by all possible means including excluding all those who have a different opinion.

In doing so, they demonstrate the need for legislative regulation. The nation is now at the mercy of the media and the public will only be fed with one side of the story.

Over to you. Wainaina

On 12/14/08, Kinuthia Muchane <muchanek@gmail.com> wrote:

...

Habari, Maybe the media is overacting, maybe the the MPs are wrong... But one interesting thing about this issue is the timidity of the MPs, to begin with, in the news all I am hearing are our dear elected representatives vowing their undying support for all sorts of freedom, including that of Press, so my question is, isn't there one, single MP who supported passing of the Bill who can come out in defence of his or her stand? Or is it because they always pander to the Press, they do not want to be seen in 'bad' light .

On the other hand, most of us take what we hear on the radio or watch on TV as gospel truth, and the unfortunate fact of life is that the majority of us have no other source of information, or do not seek other avenues of getting information, a fact very well known by members of the so called "Fourth Estate". So when they drench us with "details" about the dangers of the bill's amendment no matter how skewed their opinion is, we will believe them hook, line and sinker! If you ask me, in a country like ours with a very shaky social, political and economic foundation, these merchants of "information" should be very closely and regularly monitored, a Radio Mille Collines can happen here very easily... In any case, ain't all these media 'houses' just commercial enterprises out to make a tidy profit?

Kinuthia...

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