afrol News, 14 May - The Kenyan government has finally conceded to repealing the repressive clause in the country's media law, but the decision is yet to be approved by parliament.

"The disputed section will be effectively expelled as soon as a Statute Law Bill published by Attorney-General Amos Wako on May 9, 2009 is passed by the Parliament," the Africa Free Media Foundation (AFMF) said in a statement today, saying the government has published amendments to the Communications Act seeking to dispel the controversial clause that empowers the State to raid broadcasting stations.

In 2008, the Ministry of Information and Communication drafted and presented to Parliament the Section 88 of the Kenya Information and Communications Act which enables the state to raid broadcasting houses and destroy or confiscate equipment in order to safeguard public safety which could otherwise be compromised by the populaces' reaction to the media reports.

The Bill was passed by parliament and President Mwai Kibaki signed it into law on 2 January 2, this year, despite protests by the media industry and freedom of expression supporters.

According to the AFMF, the proposed amendments will also get rid of provisions granting the government power to scrutinize and control content broadcast on TV and radio. "This task will now fall under the Broadcast Content Advisory Council. Members of the proposed Council will include the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Communication and six other members to be appointed by the information minister. Two of the six members will be picked by the Media Council, one from the Law Society of Kenya and one will be nominated by the attorney general," AFMF noted.

The statement also noted that the attorney general has also proposed amendments to the Media Act 2007 requiring the Treasury to provide funding to the Media Council, saying the funds will be audited yearly by the controller and auditor general in line with the Public Audit Act.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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