Media Professionals in Kenya have come out to condemn a move by the government to restrict advertisements to two media houses.
On March 11, Broadcasting and Telecommunications Principal Secretary Edward Kisiangani directed all state agencies to withdraw advertisements from privately-owned radio and television stations.
He directed that all government adverts exclusively run on Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC).
Two-Year Blow to Media Houses
For the next two years, The Star newspaper will be the exclusive printer and distributor of MyGov – a state-owned daily, which will also feature on all the online and broadcasting channels of Convergence Media.
The media professionals have termed the move a draconian plan aimed at suppressing press freedom.”
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In a memo dated March 7, Kisiangani said KBC’s extensive national network coverage guarantees advertisers nationwide reach.
The government intends to make the agency the premier national broadcaster in Africa, positioning it as the leading source of information in Kenya.
