NAIROBI, Kenya (Reuters) – Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyat 3 February – To minimize bias during the election time, the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has officially stated that media personnel who are directly affiliated to political parties or aspirants should retire by.
Ezra Chiloba, the authority’s Director General, stressed in a statement that such personnel should detach themselves from newsroom operations so as not to jeopardize the media’s independence.
“If a person working on a station’s programs becomes a candidate or is engaged or kept in any capacity by a political aspirant or a political party, he or she must go on leave for the duration of the election season or his employment may be terminated by the station,” Chiloba stated.
He also reiterated that journalists seeking elective seats during the August polls should resign by April 9 as stipulated by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to ensure objectivity in media houses.
“Therefore, the Authority requires broadcasting licenses to ensure that aspiring candidates associated with or employed by their stations take the required leave of office by 9th April 2022 as gazetted by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission,” he said.
Several journalists have shown their intention to vie for different elective seats in this year’s general elections.
At the same time, a section of media houses have issued memos to their staff to resign if they intend to participate in the exercise.
CAK has also urged media houses to provide equitable coverage to different political parties without bias as provided in broadcasting regulations.
“Uphold the democratic principles of our nation especially during the electioneering period by providing equitable coverage and opportunities to political parties and candidates and ensure that broadcasting platforms are not misused to propagate hate,” Chiloba stated.
Ezra Chiloba, the authority’s Director General, stressed in a statement that such personnel should detach themselves from newsroom operations so as not to jeopardize the media’s independence.
“If a person working on a station’s programs becomes a candidate or is engaged or kept in any capacity by a political aspirant or a political party, he or she must go on leave for the duration of the election season or his employment may be terminated by the station,” Chiloba stated.
He also reiterated that journalists seeking elective seats during the August polls should resign by April 9 as stipulated by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to ensure objectivity in media houses.
“Therefore, the Authority requires broadcasting licenses to ensure that aspiring candidates associated with or employed by their stations take the required leave of office by 9th April 2022 as gazetted by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission,” he said.
Several journalists have shown their intention to vie for different elective seats in this year’s general elections.
At the same time, a section of media houses have issued memos to their staff to resign if they intend to participate in the exercise.
CAK has also urged media houses to provide equitable coverage to different political parties without bias as provided in broadcasting regulations.
“Uphold the democratic principles of our nation especially during the electioneering period by providing equitable coverage and opportunities to political parties and candidates and ensure that broadcasting platforms are not misused to propagate hate,” Chiloba stated.