Police guarding Royal Media Services withdrawn

Police officers guarding Royal Media facilities withdrawn.

This comes a day after Summons against the Royal Media Services Editorial Leadership by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations were issued.

The Media Council of Kenya has also released a press statement on the matter stating that it takes great exception to the summons issued against the editorial leadership of Royal Media Services, by the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Mr. George Kinoti, over the expose dated 18th April, 2021 with the titles “Silaha Mtaani” and “Guns Galore” broadcast on Citizen TV.

The Council has said that it recognizes the role of the DCI, and expects that the process is geared towards investigating the matter and not violating freedom of expression.

“Press freedom and access to
information as provided in the Constitution in articles 33, 34, 35 and the Media Council Act 2013. In this case where the media has exposed weaknesses among some elements in the National Police Service, natural justice demands the same Service cannot then purport to investigate or otherwise summon the journalists.” Read part of the statement

The council wants concerted effort by DCI to be channeled to investigation of the criminals in the National Police service rather than the media and journalists.

“Instead, efforts should be put toward finding out how their members are providing civilians with guns, bullets, uniforms and handcuffs.

The Media body further stated that police should otherwise offer journalistic protection to media professionals when carrying out public duty as provided in the Constitution.

Further, the council reiterated that Kenya is a signatory to and is bound by other international instruments including the Tswane Principles on National Security and Freedom of Expression. The body wants DCI to channel their grievance through media complaints commission.

“If the DCI, or in fact the National Police Service feels aggrieved by the investigative piece, they are urged to file a complaint with the Media Complaints Commission which is legally mandated to handle such matters under section 27 of the Media Council Act 2013.”

On summoning the journalists, Media council terms that as intimidations to journalists.

“Summoning journalists about their work or coercing them to reveal their sources is a violation of Press freedom and the Constitution.” Media Council