BY PAUL MALLIMBO
THE Media Council of Tanzania (MCT) has condemned the recent attack on journalists in Nairobi, Kenya that left 20 journalists injured and their equipment destroyed, since the demonstrations by the Azimio la Umoja coalition began on March 20, 2023.
In an April 2, 2023 letter sent to the CEO of Media Council of Kenya, David Omwoyo and made available to media, MCT Executive Secretary Kajubi Mukajanga, who is also the East Africa Press Councils Interim Chairperson, said these violations are committed by both state and non-state actors and are jeopardizing the safety and security of media professionals and their outlets.
He said MCT assures the Kenyan media of support from their counterparts in Tanzania, adding that the Council is following closely what is going on as they carry out their mandate to inform Kenyans objectively, professionally and comprehensively.
“Media reports as well as video clips on social media have shown violence against journalists, as well as threats from high level political leaders and police commanders, amounting to gross desecration of media freedoms and freedom of expression” Mukajanga said.
The solidarity statement also said that MCT has noted alarming profiling of media outlets by personalities with high influence in Kenyan society, and this creates a dangerous environment for practising journalists.
He said the acts against Kenyan journalists who are respected for their professionalism are shocking, and MCT would like to call upon all actors in the Kenyan political milieu to exercise restraint and respect for media freedoms.
“A free media is the bulwark of a truly democratic dispensation, and Kenya has been a beacon of democracy especially after the enactment of the 2010 Constitution. It will be very unfortunate if this beacon is allowed to sink into the abyss of intolerance,” Mukajanga emphasised.
“MCT therefore takes this opportunity to request all players in the ongoing political processes in Kenya to avoid any actions that might erode the right of Kenyans to be comprehensively informed at this time,” he added.
Mukajanga said Kenyans have the right to hear arguments and counter arguments posed by protagonists, and to be informed of the ongoing protest and response to the protest. “The messenger should not be crucified even if one does not like the message,” he emphasised.
THE Media Council of Tanzania (MCT) has condemned the recent attack on journalists in Nairobi, Kenya that left 20 journalists injured and their equipment destroyed, since the demonstrations by the Azimio la Umoja coalition began on March 20, 2023.
In an April 2, 2023 letter sent to the CEO of Media Council of Kenya, David Omwoyo and made available to media, MCT Executive Secretary Kajubi Mukajanga, who is also the East Africa Press Councils Interim Chairperson, said these violations are committed by both state and non-state actors and are jeopardizing the safety and security of media professionals and their outlets.
He said MCT assures the Kenyan media of support from their counterparts in Tanzania, adding that the Council is following closely what is going on as they carry out their mandate to inform Kenyans objectively, professionally and comprehensively.
“Media reports as well as video clips on social media have shown violence against journalists, as well as threats from high level political leaders and police commanders, amounting to gross desecration of media freedoms and freedom of expression” Mukajanga said.
The solidarity statement also said that MCT has noted alarming profiling of media outlets by personalities with high influence in Kenyan society, and this creates a dangerous environment for practising journalists.
He said the acts against Kenyan journalists who are respected for their professionalism are shocking, and MCT would like to call upon all actors in the Kenyan political milieu to exercise restraint and respect for media freedoms.
“A free media is the bulwark of a truly democratic dispensation, and Kenya has been a beacon of democracy especially after the enactment of the 2010 Constitution. It will be very unfortunate if this beacon is allowed to sink into the abyss of intolerance,” Mukajanga emphasised.
“MCT therefore takes this opportunity to request all players in the ongoing political processes in Kenya to avoid any actions that might erode the right of Kenyans to be comprehensively informed at this time,” he added.
Mukajanga said Kenyans have the right to hear arguments and counter arguments posed by protagonists, and to be informed of the ongoing protest and response to the protest. “The messenger should not be crucified even if one does not like the message,” he emphasised.
Tags
English News
Habari
Kimataifa
Media Council of Tanzania (MCT)
Usalama kwa Wanahabari
Vyombo vya Habari