The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party and the Uganda National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) have condemned the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) for ordering a halt to live coverage of Wednesday's protests.
CA yesterday directed media houses to cease live broadcasts of the protests, prompting several stations, including KTN, NTV, and K24 to go off-air for several hours before a court lifted the directive. "In a further act of desperation, President Ruto directed the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK) to ban all live broadcasts of the protests, citing a deliberate misreading of the Constitution, which protects freedom of expression and media independence," the Julius Malema-led EFF said in a statement. The South African opposition party accused the Kenyan government of attempting to 'control the narrative, conceal state crimes, and rule through fear.' The Uganda Broadcasters Association, on the other han,d also criticised the directive, calling it an attack on fundamental rights. "We stand in solidarity with our colleagues in Kenya.
Media freedom is a bedrock of democracy, and undue interference with it is an attack on people's fundamental human rights.
Live coverage of public demonstrations is a pillar of transparent and accountable governance and a fundamental aspect of the public's right to know," the association stated.
