MCK dismisses move to summon Citizen TV Journalists over a story

By Dickson OAdhiambo

April 21, 2021

MCK dismisses move to summon Citizen TV Journalists over a story

THE Media Council of Kenya has dismissed a move by the Directorate of Criminal Investigation Director George Kinoti summoning top editors and journalists at Royal Media Services over an investigative story aired last Sunday.

Media Council of Kenya Chief Executive Officer David Omwoyo says the council takes great exception to the summons issued against the editorial leadership of Royal Media Services by the Director of Criminal Investigations George Kinoti, over the expose dated April 18, 2021 with the titles “Silaha Mtaani” and “Guns Galore” broadcast on Citizen TV.

The Chief Executive Officer says while the Council recognizes the role of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, it expects that the process is geared towards investigating the matter and not violating freedom of expression, press freedom and access to information as provided in the Constitution in articles 33, 34, 35 and the Media Council Act 2013.

He says summoning journalists about their work or coercing them to reveal their sources is a violation of Press freedom and the Constitution.

“In this case where the media has exposed weaknesses among some elements in the National Police Service, natural justice demands the same Service cannot then purport to investigate or otherwise summon the journalists, Omwoyo says in a signed Press statement dated April 20, 2021.

 The Council says instead, DCI should put efforts towards finding out how some members of the National Police Service are providing civilians with guns, bullets, uniforms and handcuffs.

The Council has urged the National Police Service to lodge complaint with the Media Complaint Commission if it is aggrieved by the said investigative story.

“If the DCI, or in fact the National Police Service feels aggrieved by the investigative piece, they are urged to file a complaint with the Media Complaints Commission which is legally mandated to handle such matters under section 27 of the Media Council Act 2013,” Omwoyo adds.

 

The Council says in addition to journalistic protection when carrying out public duty as provided in the Constitution of Kenya 2010, Kenya is a signatory to and is bound by other international instruments including the Tshwane Principles on National Security and Freedom of Expression.

ENDS: