Governments change. Laws are for posterity

In Summary

• Today’s government is tomorrow’s opposition; the law will not change with the government, but will stay for posterity.
• Thinking this bill is solely for journalists is rather shortsighted and unwise.
•  I think we should all watch local content, but out of choice, and because a local producer is doing a wonderful job, and not because the government says so.

Media Bill

By Muthoni Thang'wa
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Happy Monday Kenyans!

There are some of you today who seem to be under the impression that supporting the media bill is supporting the Jubilee government.

Understand that today’s government is tomorrow’s opposition; the law will not change with the government, but will stay for posterity.

Others seem to think that since the media has offended them in some way, it is right for Parliament to pass laws that could  silence the media.

So a journalist once offended you, how terrible. You think they should all be gagged for that?

Others seem to think that the media aired ‘offensive’ Westgate footage that was a risk to national security. However, the armed forces and all security agencies get their mandate from society. As such they are answerable to us for our protection and national security.

I do not know what scripts all these Kenyans are reading from, but they are taking time to share their opinions on social media. What I do know is that thinking this bill is solely for journalists is rather shortsighted and unwise.

Laws affect all of us. What you say on social media will also be subject to regulation, since it is a law for media, and not just journalists. If the bill becomes law, you could have all this technology at your disposal, yet spend your life in silence, afraid of posting something ‘wrong’.

This bill requires that 60% of the content you watch in your home be locally produced. Not the worst thing I have heard, but it may mean that Man U will be determined by government to be Mathare United, and nothing else.

All those addicts of foreign football may have to retune their tastes and choose between Gor Mahia and Sofapaka – to the delight of many wives.

Wives in turn should not expect to continue watching soap operas with names they cannot pronounce, and weep with international tele-evangelists whose messages are highly inapplicable to their situation. No! It will have to be Papa Shirandula and Churchill Live.

The good news for parents is that children will have to start thinking again because there may be no cartoons to keep them glued to the TV for six hours.

Don’t get me wrong. I think we should all watch local content, but out of choice, and because a local producer is doing a wonderful job, and not because the government says so.

The so - called ‘dossiers’ emanating from public offices will be a thing of the past. You will probably know zilch of government operations, except when the government approves that you should.

Democracy, our supposed mode of government, demands that we should not only know, but also have the freedom to read all about government operations, even if for the sole purpose of praying about it.

Media houses play a very important role in ensuring that the truth is not hidden. Many times they simply ask questions that make society think, and examine issues from different angles.

Sometimes these questions can change a nation and the way things are done. There is no need for Parliament or anyone else for that matter to be afraid of media practitioners.

This law almost dictates that the country has one story and one story only - the government’s story!