Re: [Kictanet] Kenya ICT Action Network Condemns Overnight Raid on STANDARD AND KTN Offices
Hi all, ...and I am fully in agreement with Wainaina. Before any joint (or "members'") statement is issued, we should first understand why, and if there a need for such to be issued. Secondly, we should understand the statement itself, its weight, cones, and relevance. I again disagree with the statement, "Some events do not provide us with adequate opportunity to consult each other". The only events which may not provide enough time for consultation may only be those to do with organisation/office running, which need quick decision of which the return/results are expected. Though we should be free to discuss any issue, we should realise that ours is not a political tool but rather, a business tool. It is interesting to see how some people and/or organisations are quick to accuse, by following others before understanding everything. On the issue of the KTN/Standard, no one has ever bothered to ask why the two house were attacked. Some say it is because of the Kalonzo story. If I may ask, between "Kalonzo/Kibaki" and the "Anglo Leasing" stories, which one of the two was more likely to hurt the government? Which one was more damning. If it is the Anglo Leasing story which was released by the nation Media Group, then why is it that nation did not come under attack. The minister for internal security said he was responsible and that the attack was necessitated by a threat in national security. Full stop! What I hear everybody say is that Press Freedom is very important, and I fully agree with them. Very very important. But why on earth should a newspaper write on its front (or back) page that Mr. XXX is a bank robber and a rapist, and when followed, start crying out about press freedom and freedom of expression? This freedom does not mean telling lies e.g. working for particular politicians to insult others and so on. We know, (and I have a case in point where) journalists are paid to accompany politicians. that way, wherever they are and whatever they say is always covered by the media. Anyway, what I am saying is don't pass judgement because others are doing so. We shouldn't follow blindly. Before doing so, we should always strive to understand the case first, by gathering all the evidence and listening to all parties. That way, we may be armed to give a "fair judgement" Anyway, these are my thought and not those of the KICTNet. I guess the network is a discussion forum. Hunja At 02:25 PM 04/03/2006 +0300, Wainaina Mungai wrote:
Hi Malaba,
I was under the impression that a "KICTANET statement" is a joint statement that needs wider consultation so as to legitimise the words below....because KICTANet does not exist without its membership. I may have been wrong.
We the members of the Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet), a multistakeholder group of organisations > > > and networks from civil society, private sector, media, academia, and development partners
Wainaina
-------Original Message------- From: David Sparrow Malaba <sdmalaba@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: [Kictanet] Kenya ICT Action Network Condemns Overnight Raid on STANDARD AND KTN Offices Sent: 04 Mar '06 11:31
Dear Colleagues, I feel that as members of KICTANET, each one of us is free including our organizations to take a particular stand on any issue or issues at any time as they arise. But if Mr. Mungai is suggesting that in future we make joint press statements, then that is something else, that may perhaps require consultation from members. Some events do not provide us with adequate opportunity to consult each other.
Let us play our roles even if it means commenting on any issue without fear of contradiction or even being labeled or victimised by members.
Kind regards David Malaba The Computer Society of Kenya
--- "Made in Kenya.org" <info@madeinkenya.org> wrote:
Dear all,
Just out of curiousity, who was consulted in the drafting of this statement? As a member, I am totally in the dark on this one. AS much as I support the condemnation of the police action, I must distance myself from this one-sided and apparently unilaterally drafted statement that seems to be in denial of the reality in Kenya today. Media freedom is not absolute and Kenyan consumers have a right to access accurate and unbiased information from the media and other sources.
The statement will only serve to sanitise misconduct by the local media. KICTANet should not be seen as a trade association where irresponsible media finds solace. I hope that will not be the message KICTANet will pass on to participants at the planned "Media and ICTs workshop next week (March 10-13) in Mombasa. All freedoms, especially the freedom of the press must be exercised with restraint. Media freedom carries with it alot of power and power has corrupted a significant section of our media.
The unilateral decision to draft and circulate a statement on behalf of KICTANet despite protests from some members (no matter how few) should not be presented in a manner to imply that it is the collective view of the network.
Even the Media Owners Association did a much better job by demanding that its membership exercise responsible journalism. For that, I must congratulate the MoA for exercising objectivity and advice KICTANet to make an honest attempt at such objectivity in future.
Sincerely,
Wainaina Mungai
-------Original Message------- From: alice@apc.org Subject: [Kictanet] Kenya ICT Action Network Condemns Overnight Raid on STANDARD AND KTN Offices Sent: 03 Mar '06 10:27
Press Release
Kenya ICT Action Network Condemns Overnight Raid on STANDARD AND KTN Offices
3 March 2006
by the recent actions meted by the government on
are shocked and outraged the standard group.
On Wednesday, 1 March 2006, the Government of
unprecedented and vicious attack on the STANDARD GROUP premises, harassed the journalists, confiscated equipment, interrupted TV transmission and burned copies of the day's newspaper edition.
The Government has detained and continues to hold in detention three Standard journalists apparently for misreporting
politician had secretly met the President at State House.
When interviewed, the Internal Security Minister Hon. Muchuki did not deny the government's involvement in this horrifying event of March 1st stating state security as the reason behind the government's actions.
We see this as crude and gross abuse of power and our constitution.
At a recent ICT strategy conference held at the safari park hotel his Excellency the president of Kenya unveiled Kenya's ICT strategy, whose main objective is " transforming Kenya's economy
facilitating the private sector to serve as the driver for economic development". This crude action contradicts the government's recent objectives to maintain a favourable climate for investment and creation of jobs for Kenyan's. No investor would place their money in an environment where the rule of law and order is disregarded with utmost impunity.
This action is also reminiscent of the dark days in Kenya when the media was constantly harassed in order to suppress the freedom of expression, thought and association. The action demonstrates that
custodian of law and order is not committed to
foundation for a modern and civilised society.
Whereas the Government may be validly aggrieved,
internationally acceptable mechanisms for seeking redress through the courts of law. The Kenya Telecommunication Act (1998 revised 2001) clearly spells out the procedures that should be followed in the event that a Media House needs to be shutdown.
KICATNet translates this action as an attempt to frighten the independent media, limit Kenyan's political space and erode our human rights. It is also a gross violation of our constitution.
KICTANet therefore strongly condemns the government's actions and stands in solidarity with the Kenyan media and particularly our colleagues at the standard media group. We take this opportunity to remind the government of Kenya that the foundation of a sound democracy is
and freedom of press.
It is therefore imperative that the Government quickly moves to restore not just investor confidence but also citizens' confidence in protection of our fundamental human rights and democratic space
Kenya launched an that a leading opposition through promoting and the Government, which is the the rule of law as the basic there are established and the right to information that has been gained largely
due to a free press.
KICTANet is appalled by the actions and urges the Minister(s) and the Agency/ies involved to publicly apologise and expeditiously restore the services of the Media House as well as paying for all the losses that the standard group have incurred.
Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet)
Contact Details for the network
Judy Kimiti
jkimiti@email.kictanet.or.ke
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================================ Charles M.M. Hunja, IT Manager International Development Research Centre P.O. Box 62084 - City Square, Nairobi, Kenya Tel 254 020 2713160/1: Fax: 254 020 2711063 ................................................................................................................................................................ This email (and all other outgoing emails) is certified Virus Free. Checked by MCafee Anti-virus system
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