CA threatens to revoke licenses of 6 TV stations over coverage of Azimio protests

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has faulted six television stations over their live coverage of the anti-government protests led by Azimio La Umoja Coalition Party Leader Raila Odinga on Monday

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Authority threatened to revoke the licences of Citizen TV, NTV, K24, KBC, TV47 and Ebru TV for broadcasting the rallies claiming the national broadcasters had violated the code of coverage.

“Today, the Authority completed a review of Broadcast Coverage of Opposition demonstrations held on 20th March 2023. The Authority has established that at least Six (6) TV stations, namely, Citizen TV, NTV, K24, KBC, TV47 and Ebru TV, provided coverage in a manner that violated the Programming Code,’ read the statement by CA CEO Ezra Chiloba.

According to Chiloba, the live airing of the protests was a form of incitement to the public and may upset the peace in the country.

“The coverage depicted scenes that could cause panic or incitement to the public, threatening peace and cohesion in the country,” CA stated.

“The Authority has, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the law, issued notices to the identified broadcasters to take immediate remedial actions. All broadcasters are hereby reminded of their obligations,” CA noted.

“While the Authority promotes freedom of the press, it is imperative that all broadcasters exercise caution in Live Broadcast Coverage in order to avoid scenes that would be detrimental to peace and cohesion," CA noted.

Chiloba added: "Failure to adhere to the outlined obligations shall be acting in breach of licence conditions, which shall attract liability under relevant provisions of the law, including revocation of broadcast licence and/or broadcast frequencies.”