High Court suspends CA ban on live protest coverage
High Court suspends CA ban on live protest coverage, orders restoration of switched-off signals.
High Court suspends CA ban on live protest coverage, orders restoration of switched-off signals.
The High Court in Nairobi has issued a conservatory order suspending a directive by the Communications Authority (CA) that barred television and radio stations from broadcasting live coverage of the Wednesday, June 25, demonstrations.
Justice Chacha Mwita ruled that the directive potentially violated the freedom of the media and the Bill of Rights.
“I am satisfied that they raise fundamental constitutional questions touching on potential violation of the Bill of Rights in the Constitution and freedom of the media calling for intervention by this court,” the ruling read.
In his orders, Mwita directed the immediate suspension of the CA’s directive which had ordered broadcasters to cease live coverage of the protests.
“A conservatory order is hereby issued suspending, with immediate effect, the directive Ref No. CA/CE/BC/TV90A or any other directive issued by the Communication Authority of Kenya to all television and radio stations directing them to stop live coverage of the demonstrations of 25th June 2025 or any other demonstrations, until the hearing and determination of the application and petition,” the ruling added.
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Mwita further ordered that any broadcasting signals that had been switched off as a result of the directive be restored without delay.
“Any Broadcasting signals that may have been switched off as a result of the referenced directive be restored with immediate effect, pending further orders of the court,” the ruling further read.
Earlier Wednesday, CA directed media houses to stop the live coverage of the protests, claiming that the broadcasts were contrary to the law.
“The live coverage of the June 25th, 2025, demonstrations are contrary to Articles 33(2) and 34(1) of the Constitution of Kenya and Section 461 of the Kenya Information and Communications Act, 1998.
“This is therefore to direct all television and radio stations to stop any live coverage of the demonstrations forthwith. Failure to abide by this directive will result in regulatory action as stipulated in the Kenya Information and Communications Act, 1998,” the letter read.
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