The Kenyan government has announced that any journalist wishing to join politics must resign from their job three months prior to the election.
This directive was given by the Communication Authority (CA) director general, Francis Wagusi, who stated that "Media owners and reporters who are vying for elective positions should delink themselves from their media houses three months to an election. We do not want a journalist who is vying for a political seat holding a microphone because he is likely to use the platform for campaigns, further polarising the country," according to the Nation.
This move aims to ensure ethics among journalists and promote objective reporting without bias or political inclination, especially with the August 8 election approaching.
Context ¶
This announcement comes after the government decided to stop placing adverts in the country's four main newspapers and instead launch its own publication, My Gov, which will feature government advertisements distributed by local newspapers.
Several journalists, including KTN's Mohammed Ali and Standard editor David Ohito, are reportedly vying for seats in the August 8 election.
Response and Consequences ¶
The local media has criticized the government's decision to launch its own publication, citing concerns over the impact on their businesses.
As the country prepares for the upcoming election, the government's directives and decisions regarding the media and journalists are expected to have significant consequences on the electoral process and the role of journalism in Kenya.
