Azimio leader Raila Odinga has condemned Communications Authority of Kenya Director General Ezra Chiloba's move to censure the media.
Speaking on Thursday, Raila said the order issued by Chiloba is illegal and unconstitutional
"Chiloba issued an illegal and unconstitutional order censuring the media and threatening sanctions for the truth reporting of our demonstrations," he said.
On Wednesday, the Communications Authority of Kenya censured six TV stations accusing them of violating the Programming Code during coverage of Azimio mass protests on Monday.
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.
