• In a statement on Wednesday, CA Director General Ezra Chiloa listed Citizen TV, NTV, K24, national broadcaster KBC, TV47 and Ebru TV.
• "The coverage depicted scenes that could cause panic or incitement to the public, threaten peace and cohesion in the country," Chiloba said.
Image: EZRA CHILOBA TWITTER
The Communications Authority of Kenya has censured six TV stations accusing them of violating the Programming Code during coverage of Azimio mass protests on Monday.
In a statement on Wednesday, CA Director General Ezra Chiloba listed Citizen TV, NTV, K24, national broadcaster KBC, TV47 and Ebru TV.
"The coverage depicted scenes that could cause panic or incitement to the public, threaten peace and cohesion in the country," Chiloba said.
He said the stations have been notified of the issue and asked to take immediate remedial actions.
"While the Authority promotes the freedom of the press, it is imperative that all broadcasters exercise caution in live broadcast coverage to avoid scenes that would be detrimental to peace and cohesion," Chiloba said.
The CEO said all media houses should adhere to all the clauses of the Programming Code without fail and stick to their obligations in their broadcasts.
"Take note that failure to adhere to the outlined obligations shall be acting in breach of license conditions, which shall attract liability under relevant provisions of the law including revocation of broadcast license or/and broadcast frequencies," Chiloba said.
The Programming Code among other things prohibits broadcasters from airing morbid, violent, sensational or alarming details that are not essential to factual reporting.
It says broadcasters are responsible for materials relayed on their channels regardless of their sources or professionalism or lack thereof of their employees.
"Presentation of news and commentaries must not be done in a way that would create unnecessary panic or alarm," Section 5.8.4 of the Programming Code states.
Clause 19 I (c) and (d) of the Kenya Information and Communication (Broadcast) Act further requires broadcasters to ensure that they do not air any material that "glorifies violence or depicts violence in an offensive manner, or is likely to incite, perpetuate hatred, vilify any person or section of the community."
Monday's mass action called by Azimio leader Raila Odinga was marred by ugly scenes where protesters were captured on tape engaging police officers in running battle.
Photos and video clips doing rounds online showed some armed police officers climbing over perimeter walls with protesters in hot pursuit.
Police issued a statement on Tuesday saying over 200 people were arrested during the melee where several police officers were injured.
Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome put the number of injured officers at 31 and said more than 10 police vehicles were damaged especially in Nairobi in the clashes that took place in various places.
One person was shot and killed in Kisumu while another one was injured in Kibera.
Koome said police used more than 100 live bullets in the chaos that broke out as police confronted protesters.