A Kenyan court stopped the country's media regulator from blocking live news coverage of protests. The Law Society of Kenya asked Justice Chacha Mwita to reverse the Communications Authority's ban on real-time reporting. The judge agreed and ordered the agency to restore all television and radio signals immediately. Faith Odhiambo leads the Law Society and warned officials they could face jail time for ignoring the court ruling. She said the original ban was illegal and harmful to free speech.
The Communications Authority shut down several major news stations on Wednesday after they refused to stop covering demonstrations. NTV and KTN went off the air when they continued broadcasting the protests live. David Mugonyi runs the authority and claimed the coverage threatened public safety and national security. He told all broadcasters to end their live reporting or face penalties. The agency said the demonstrations violated constitutional rules about free expression.
The protests marked one year since young people led major demonstrations against a controversial tax bill. Thousands of citizens joined rallies across Kenya to voice their concerns about government policies. News organizations said the ban violated press freedom and the public's right to know what was happening. The court case raises important questions about media rights under Kenya's constitution. Justice Mwita said the legal challenge deserved full consideration because it involves fundamental freedoms.
The Communications Authority shut down several major news stations on Wednesday after they refused to stop covering demonstrations. NTV and KTN went off the air when they continued broadcasting the protests live. David Mugonyi runs the authority and claimed the coverage threatened public safety and national security. He told all broadcasters to end their live reporting or face penalties. The agency said the demonstrations violated constitutional rules about free expression.
The protests marked one year since young people led major demonstrations against a controversial tax bill. Thousands of citizens joined rallies across Kenya to voice their concerns about government policies. News organizations said the ban violated press freedom and the public's right to know what was happening. The court case raises important questions about media rights under Kenya's constitution. Justice Mwita said the legal challenge deserved full consideration because it involves fundamental freedoms.
