Wilfred Ayaga
Alcoholic drinks manufacturers and media owners have voiced their
opposition to the Alcoholic Drinks Control (Amendment) Bill that seeks
to regulate advertising hours for ...
alcoholic beverages.
The Media Owners Association (MOA), Media Council of Kenya, East
African Breweries (EABL) and Keroche Industries said the Bill is
unnecessary because there already exists legislation to shield minors
and other vulnerable groups from exposure.
Representatives from the four groups cited the Kenya Information and
Communications Act, 2015, Kenya Information and Communication
(Broadcasting) Regulations 2016, the Programming Code for Broadcasting
Services in Kenya, and the Administrative Guidelines on Alcohol
Advertising as among laws that are already in place.
“We submit to the committee that there are adequate measures in place,
both in law and practice, to mitigate against exposure of minors and
other vulnerable persons in the community from access and consumption of
alcohol.
SEE ALSO :Embu MCAs increase alcohol drinking hours
“More
focus should be put in driving compliance and enforcement by all
players as there is sufficient regulation and legislation to support the
protection of this group of people,” MoA told the committee chaired by
Kiambaa MP Paul Koinange.
The media owners were represented by Nation Media Group Head of Corporate Affairs Clifford Machoka.
“The amendment therefore seeks to duplicate a role and mandate that
already exists and is currently adequately being undertaken by the CA.
It is important to note that exposure of young people to unsuitable
content on alcoholic consumption is largely on the internet, which is
already unregulated and does not come under the purview of watershed
hours,” said MoA.
EABL Group Corporate Relations Director Eric Kiniti said hurried passage
of the law would have a negative trickle-down effect on the economy and
sectors that directly rely on advertising.
“Implementing the proposed amendment without relevant authorities first
conducting a regulatory impact assessment will result in debilitating
effects to the economy and deployment in the creative industry such as
design, programmers, actors, producers, film and photographers,” said Mr
Kiniti.
SEE ALSO :Wambora rejects proposed law to open bars at 3pm on weekdays
He
also argued that minors have access to alcoholic beverages that are not
advertised, which means that greater emphasis should be on enforcement
of existing laws and not over-regulation of the alcoholic beverage
industry.
Keroche Corporate Affairs Director John Nyongesa warned the proposed law
would eat into media revenue as manufacturers would explore alternative
means of advertising their products.
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