Media Council of Kenya deputy CEO Victor Bwire. [Photo/Maxwell]
The Media Council of Kenya has condemned the government for shutting down media houses during NASA leader Raila Odinga's inauguration on Tuesday.
The MCK deputy CEO Victor Bwire said the act was uncalled for stating that the government should not interfere with the freedom of the press.
Addressing a media workshop in Mombasa on Tuesday, Bwire said that the media was independent and should not be dragged into political party matters.
According to Bwire, the shut down was mainly to deny Kenyans information, noting that the country relies on the mainstream media for information.
Bwire said journalists should be left to do their work without any interference from government agencies or individuals since they do not serve individual interests but the community at large.
He asked the government to stop oppressing the media but instead use it as a tool that contributes to the growth of the nation.
“The action was truly uncalled for since the media is not a political party that competes with the government agenda,” Bwire said.
Bwire also raised concerns with the manner in which journalists were being treated in the country.
He said most journalists were being harassed especially by politicians and asked the government security agencies to ensure journalists are secured and given adequate space to do their job.
“Journalists cover various news stories with a high sense of impartiality they should not be seen as enemies but conveyors of important messages to the public” added Bwire.
Bwire said the Media Council of Kenya will work closely with the media houses and journalists as well to ensure that there is safety for journalists while doing their operations.
He asked security agents to ensure that journalists are not restrained from doing their work even in investigating government agencies.
Bwire, however, appealed to journalists to conduct themselves professionally and report any form of violence to the council so that it moves swiftly and take lawful actions against perpetrators.
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