Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki yielded to public pressure on Wednesday and ordered further consultation over the controversial media law which he signed into law last week.
A statement from President Kibaki's office said he has instructed the Attorney-General Amos Wako and Information and Communications Minister Samuel Poghisio to study the amendments proposed by the media to the controversial Kenya Communications (Amendment) Act.
"President Mwai Kibaki has today directed the Attorney General and the Minister for Information and Communication to study amendments members of the media have proposed made to the Kenya Communications (Amendment) Act, 2008 and the Kenya Communications Act 2008," it said.
The statement said Kibaki was responding to a letter from the chairman of the Media Owners Association Linus Gitahi, appealing to him to consider proposed amendments on the two Acts.
The president said he has noted concerns by the media regarding the Kenya Communications (Amendment) Act 2008 and the Kenya Communications Act 2008 and asked both Wako and Poghisio to study the proposed amendments and consult with the media representatives.
The president further directed that the two should bring appropriate recommendations on the proposed amendments to the cabinet for consideration.
The new media law which was signed by President Kibaki last Friday is opposed by the ruling party's partner, the Orange Democratic Party (ODM) headed by Prime Minister Raila Odinga and is one of several issues dividing the power-sharing partners.
Odinga had asked the president to reconsider the measures, after it was bitterly opposed by journalists. Also known as the "ICT Bill," the new legislation provides for heavy fines and prison sentences for press offences.
It also gives the government, above all the information and interior ministries, authority over the issuing of broadcast licenses and the production and content of news programs.
The law, if implemented, also gives the government broad powers, including the right to raid media offices and wiretap journalists.
Source: Xinhua
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