Journalists in Kenya are set to hold a major demonstration in the capital, Nairobi, on Wednesday to press for amendments of the Media Bill with a view to strike out clauses which obligate journalists to reveal their sources.
The procession dubbed Silent Demo by writers, editors and photographers from all media houses will culminate in the handing of a petition to President Mwai Kibaki through the country's attorney-general and head of civil service.
"During demonstrations journalists from all media houses will march silently with their mouths and tools of trade gagged in black cloth to symbolize the muzzling of the press," Samuel Mbau, the march's organizers, told a news conference in Nairobi.
"There will be no chanting nor singing. All well wishers can spot black ribbons and cloths around their mouths to support the cause of a free press," said Mbau, a journalist with the Daily Nation.
The Media Bill passed by parliament early this month is awaiting presidential assent after the country's lawmakers passed it with a low quorum.
But a chorus of condemnation from the media, church, civil society groups and foreign diplomats has urged Kibaki to send it back to parliament for amendment.
The bill gives the government the right to demand the names of their sources in news reports that give rise to legal disputes.
"When a story includes unnamed parties who are not disclosed and the same becomes the subject of a legal tussle as to who is meant, then the editor shall be obliged to disclose the identity of the party or parties referred to," the Media Bill states.
The government says the bill is only intended to provide a legal framework for the east African nation's thriving media to act like a safeguard against excesses.
Information Minister Mutahi Kagwe has asked the attorney- general to clarify the amendment, in what is seen as a move to defuse tension over the bill.
Kagwe says that if the amendment was determined to be faulty, he would have no alternative but to ask the president to refer it back to parliament "to ensure that sources of stories are protected."
Mbau said Wednesday's march would be the beginning of a sustained campaign to ensure journalists as a profession is accorded the deserved esteem.
"Watch and listen to this space for freedom is not a negotiable commodity. As journalists we are concerned that the aim is to criminalize the profession of journalism in the doctor patient confidentiality clause," Mbau said.
"The pact between sources and journalists is stronger than that of doctors and patients, in the doctor patient confidentiality clause."
Media owners say the law is unethical and unconstitutional as journalists have a duty to protect their sources, and that it would cripple investigative journalism.
They say that without such kind of stories, major corruption scandals such as Anglo Leasing and Goldenberg would never have been unearthed.
These scandals have embarrassed President Kibaki's government, which was elected on a pledge to fight corruption. Donors had threatened to freeze aid because of lack of political will to stamp out the vice.
Source: Xinhua
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