Kenyan reporters have been covering their mouths in a silent protest against amendments to a new media bill they say would suppress press freedom by forcing them to reveal confidential sources.
They have urged President Mwai Kibaki not to sign the bill. "Freedom is not a negotiable commodity," protest spokesman Dennis Itumbi said. "We will hold on, keep on the fight."
Marching through the streets of Nairobi on 15 August, hundreds of media workers took part in a demonstration, covering their mouths with handkerchiefs and sticky tape to symbolise the gagging of the press.
The "silent march" began at Freedom Corner in the city centre’s Uhuru Park, and then proceeded to the Attorney General’s chambers and parliament where petitions were presented.
The contentious bill was passed by parliament on 2 August with a clause giving authorities the power to compel journalists to reveal their sources if stories are legally challenged.
Reporters say this would prevent parties from coming forward with sensitive information. They claim the clause was not discussed and agreed with stakeholders from the media industry when the bill was debated.
 Photo: Allan Gichigi/IRIN  |
| Reporters take to the streets of Nairobi in protest against the bill |
Parliamentarians who s upport it, however, argue it would stop journalists from character assassinating public figures and encourage them to be more responsible.
Opposition politicians have sided with the media, saying the bill is a mechanism for the enforcement of silence and censorship of information, public debate and open market ideas - essential to a democratic and free society.
On 16 August, journalists attended a government press briefing with their mouths still covered. There, government spokesman Alfred Mutua said the President would consider their petition.
In a statement, Attorney General Amos Wako said he would advise the President not to sign the bill.
"When I present the bill to the President for assent I shall be advising the President not to assent but to refer the bill back to the national assembly for reconsideration of the offending clause by deletion or suitable amendment to reflect the intend purpose as aforesaid," it said.
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