REMARKS BY FRANCIS W. WANGUSI, MBS, DIRECTOR COMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY OF KENYA DURING THE WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY ON 3RD MAY 2019 AT GREAT RIFT VALLEY LODGE IN NAIVASHA
I am delighted to join you this morning as we mark this year’s World Press Freedom Day.
The Authority is pleased to be part of this event that provides each one of us with an opportunity to reflect on how we, as stakeholders of the media industry, can foster democratic ideals in the roles that we play. We at the Authority remain committed to delivering on our statutory responsibility of developing and enforcing compliance with programming standards for free to air broadcasting services in Kenya.
In line with this mandate, in 2015, developed the Programming Code for free to air radio and TV broadcasting services in Kenya. The Code sets the standards for the time and manner of programmes to be broadcast by licensees. I am pleased to note that since the Programming Code came into force in 2016, the airtime dedicated to local content by broadcasters has increased beyond the prescribed minimum threshold of 40 percent and is still growing.
In addition, virtually all TV stations in the country have since provided mechanisms to promote accessibility to broadcasting services by persons with disabilities, and thus opening new horizons of opportunity particularly to these members of our society that have traditionally been disenfranchised. Although some notable progress has been noted in respect of compliance with the provisions relating to the observance of the watershed period, there is substantial room for improvement in this area. In this regard, the Authority is working closely with the industry and other media regulators to ensure children and other vulnerable members of society are protected from inappropriate programming.
Ladies and gentlemen, the broadcasting industry has in recent times experienced dramatic changes driven largely by digitalization and rapid evolution in technology. We acknowledge that the proliferation of new technologies has introduced disruption in the global broadcasting sphere with fierce competition from the ubiquitous online platforms. However, these have also presented a new horizon to the broadcasters and other media, as they now have other avenues to reach audiences in real time and at their convenience.
Free media, traditional and new alike, are indispensable for development, democracy and good governance. We must admit that the democratic space for both the media and citizenry has greatly been enhanced by the freedom that the media in Kenya enjoys today. Social media, mobile technologies and digital platforms on the other hand offer new tools for accelerating citizen participation in the economic and social development of the country.
We will however all admit that these developments also bring with them challenges that we must contend with. Regulators around the world are grappling with the problem of harmful content on social media and Kenya is inception. World over, the debate around harmful and inappropriate online content has noticeably shifted. While governments were initially keen to allow self-regulation of online media, the growing concerns on illegal online activities have made the focus to shift towards regulatory oversight.
I wish to note here that these concerns are a reality for us in Kenya as complaints on fake news and harmful online content continue to rise. The problem is further compounded by the fact that the distinction between traditional journalists and bloggers is has increasingly become blurred. As an industry, we must discuss what model is best for regulation of the media.
There is no doubt that online platforms have expanded the space for expression and for promotion of democracy. To achieve this, there is a pressing need to implement effective rules to build trust on these platforms.
The entry of the Over the Top services in broadcasting has in particular brought a lot of competitive pressure to bear on an industry that is already struggling to survive. Going forward, the media industry must adopt creativity, innovation and diversification strategies to survive in an increasingly competitive environment. On our part as the Authority, we shall continue facilitating a conducive and enabling environment that supports the industry.
