Writing in the Hidustan Times last week, Indian journalist and author Karan Thapar observed that, “Democracy is fragile. In order to be open and inclusive, it leaves itself vulnerable to being taken over by anti-democratic forces. This is why democracy should never be taken for granted. It needs vigorous defence.”
Thapar was commenting on a new BBC documentary “Rise of the Nazis”, which reveals how easily Adolf Hitler came to power and the extent to which the German establishment facilitated his rise.
Almost no one saw it coming.
Malava MP Malulu Injendi has drafted bill that prescribes strict controls on social media. Defenders of free speech are rightly worried. The Kenya Information and Communication (Amendment) Bill 2019 proposes registration of users of Facebook, WhatsApp, blogs and other platforms by the Communications Authority of Kenya.
Last week, Mheshimiwa Injendi tried to wriggle out of the storm arguing that the intention of his bill had been misunderstood. He told the Nation (October 1, p.3) that his idea is to have all owners of social media platforms that Kenyans use licensed and to have a physical office in the country.
But that is not true. Injendi wants registration of all users of social media. For instance, the bill says a person who blogs without a licence commits an offence. Any social media user who commits one of the many sins created by Injendi will be fined Sh200,000 or jailed for a year.
Kenya has a very vibrant social media. Some of the hottest discussions of public affairs are conducted on these platforms. Of course social media has its own problems, particularly the spread of fake news and hate speech.
But there are better ways of combating such vices rather than imposing blanket stringent restrictions as contemplated by Mheshimiwa Injendi.
Free speech is a critical pillar of a democracy. To safeguard the gains made in the struggle to create a free, open and democratic society, MPs must shoot down Injendi’s bill.
