Nairobi, Kenya// – The Africa Editors Forum (TAEF) today strongly condemned the directive issued by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) instructing television broadcasters to cease live coverage of the ongoing Gen-Z demonstrations.
This move, according to a press release signed by the President of TAEF, Churchchill Otieno, represents a serious affront to media freedom, the public’s right to information, and the constitutional guarantees that underpin Kenya’s democracy.
“Live broadcasting is a legitimate journalistic practice that allows citizens to witness events as they unfold, fostering transparency and enabling accountability. By attempting to silence live coverage, the CA undermines not only the independence of the media but also the democratic right of Kenyans, especially young people, to express themselves and be heard”, it stated.
The release added: “We are particularly concerned that this directive comes at a time when trust between citizens and institutions is strained. In an age of synthetic reality, deepfakes, and digitally manipulated narratives, a news blackout is dangerously counterproductive. When mainstream media is gagged, misinformation and conspiracy theories thrive”.
It therefore urged the Kenyan authorities not to create conditions that hamper information integrity by driving citizens to rely solely on unverified, and often misleading, sources of information.
“Instead of suppressing coverage, authorities should focus on ensuring that law enforcement upholds the rights of protesters and respects the freedoms enshrined in Kenya’s Constitution, including the freedom of expression, freedom of the press, and the right to peaceful assembly”.
The release went further to say that TAEF stands in solidarity with Kenyan journalists and media houses committed to telling the story of this pivotal moment with professionalism, accuracy, and courage.
It urged the Communications Authority to immediately rescind this directive and reaffirm its commitment to media independence and constitutional order.
They further called on all regulatory agencies to act within the confines of the law, uphold international standards on freedom of expression, and engage constructively with the media sector rather than resorting to censorship.
The future of democracy in Africa, and indeed the legitimacy of public institutions, depends on an informed citizenry, not on the concealment of public dissent, the release said.
