Standard Media responds to gov’t after order to stop live coverage of protests
In a statement dated Wednesday, June 25, the media house announced that it was consulting with the legal team to establish the legality of the orders issued by the Communication Authority of Kenya (CA).
The Standard Media Group has stated that it will go on with the live coverage of the protests despite government orders to media houses.
In a statement dated Wednesday, June 25, the media house announced that it was consulting with the legal team to establish the legality of the orders issued by the Communication Authority of Kenya (CA).
Therefore, the media house will continue with the coverage until it establishes the legality of the orders.
However, Standard Group noted that the order was aimed at plunging the country into a news blackout.
“We are consulting our lawyers to establish the legality of this order, which aims to plunge the country into a news blackout. Meanwhile, we will continue broadcasting in the public interest until the legal position is confirmed.
“This is not the first time that the CA is threatening to take TV stations off-air. Similar threats were issued at the same time last year, at the height of the anti-Finance Bill 2024 demonstrations that saw protesters breach Parliament,” read the statement in part.
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Other media houses, such as Africa Unsensored, have condemned the order, stating that it infringed on the freedoms of the media.
“Moreover, there is precedence that any attempt by the State to arbitrarily restrict media coverage, particularly of public interest events such as protests, is unconstitutional and violates both domestic and international standards of free expression.
“Media coverage of protests is essential for accountability, transparency, and the protection of fundamental rights. Live coverage ensures that the public can witness events as they unfold, reducing the risk of the kinds of harms that have been witnessed in the past, fostering a more informed citizenry,” read the statement in part.
Earlier, CA had directed media houses to stop the live coverage, explaining that they were violating the Constitution.
The institution asserted that the coverage was inciteful.
“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,” read the letter in part.
“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.”
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