Media Council Condemns Attack on Journalists at Chungwa House

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The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has called for the arrest of suspects who reportedly attacked two journalists at the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) headquarters in Nairobi.

Moses Nyamori of The Standard and Luke Awich of The Star were attacked by the goons while covering a rally at Chungwa House on Thursday, 24th March.

The council expressed its concern at violence orchestrated against the journalists and urged the Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai to take action against the perpetrators.

“The council is concerned at political party orchestrated violence against journalists and lack of investigations on such and is calling upon the Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai to arrest the perpetrators,” MCK said in a statement.
According to MCK, the two journalists were singled out after stories published under their bylines on Thursday, 17th March drew verbal threats and attacks from specific party officials quoted in the story.

MCK is now calling on the ODM leadership led by its party leader Raila Odinga to disown such acts of violence against members of the press.

“The media council of Kenya calls on ODM leadership led by its party leader Raila Odinga who was hosting today’s events to disown such acts of violence against media and commit to non-interference in the work of media workers in all activities henceforth,” it added.

The council also urged the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) to take stern action against parties and aspirants that condone all forms of violence and especially against the media.

The Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) also issued a statement condemning the attacks and warned that political parties summoning the press for conferences as well as political rallies will be held liable.

“We will hold conveners of press conferences and organisers of political rallies liable should journalists be attacked in the line of duty. No amount of harassment and intimidation will stop journalists from carrying out their duty professionally in line with the code of conduct that guides their work,” said KUJ.

The Crime Journalists Association of Kenya (CJAK) also condemned the incident, urging the party to avail the perpetrators for further action to be taken against them.

The post Media Council Condemns Attack on Journalists at Chungwa House appeared first on LitKenya.

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