Standard Group: Illegal TV shutdown undermines free press

The Standard Group PLC strongly condemns the unconstitutional and arbitrary shutdown of the broadcast signal for its television station, KTN, by signal distributors following orders from the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA).

The action, executed without any legal justification, follows a directive shared on social media directing all broadcasters to halt TV and radio live coverage of Gen Z demonstrations commemorating one year anniversary of the anti-tax protests of June 25, 2024.

The Standard Group views this as a blatant violation of the Constitution, in particular Article 34, which safeguards media freedom and prohibits state interference in broadcasting or dissemination of information.

The authority's attempt to blackout KTN contravenes a recent High Court ruling affirming that the Media Council of Kenya, not the CA, holds the mandate to oversee broadcast content.

Indeed, there exist elaborate legal channels to address any concerns about media conduct, and the CA’s overreach entirely bypasses these mechanisms.

At the time of the shutdown, KTN was diligently and responsibly reporting on public demonstrations — events of critical public interest and a constitutionally protected expression of citizens’ rights.

• .

  Keep Reading

• 
  Your guns won't silence our voices, opposition and protesters tell Ruto
• 
  Kenya anniversary protests turn violent, 8 dead
• 
  How digital literacy powered Gen Z uprising, uplifted dissenting voices
• 
  State sued over razor wire barricade and a missing blogger

This interference not only undermines our editorial independence but also deprives Kenyans of their right to access information during a pivotal moment.

Additionally, we have received credible intelligence suggesting that authorities may be planning a raid on the Standard Group’s offices along Mombasa Road, allegedly for defying CA's illegal directive. We cannot take this information for granted as we’ve been a victim of such past State action that involved State agents and hired mercenaries in 2006. As we seek to establish the veracity of these claims, we urge the government to adhere to the rule of law.

The Standard Group PLC remains resolute in its mission to uphold fearless, independent and trustworthy journalism. We restate our commitment to serving the public while remaining true to the journalistic tenets of truth, accuracy and accountability. All this done with responsibility.

We urge Kenyans and our loyal audience to follow KTN livestream on our YouTube channels and social media platforms. In the meantime, we will pursue all avenues available to us to restore our broadcast signal.

While asking the CA to withdraw this patently illegal action, we encourage the authority to conduct its regulatory role in accordance with the law of the land and that of natural justice. We warn all CA officers that there will be personal culpability for all illegal actions and no matter how long it takes, justice will be pursued.

In all this, we stand with the people of Kenya!