Story by Tonney A. Ochieng’ ,
In the annals of democratic absurdity, Kenya’s recent assault on media companies stands out as a glaring example of governmental outreach and suppression of freedom. In a nation purportedly committed to upholding democratic values, the irony of such actions is as thick as Nairobi’s morning fog.
Kenya, a nation once hailed for its strides toward freedom press, now finds itself stumbling backward into the dark ages of authoritarianism. Under the guise of upholding national security or protecting public interest the government’s heavy-handed tactics resembles more the antics of a paranoid despot than those of a progressive democracy
Now there exists a chapter so baffling, so ludicrous, that even the most seasoned political satirists find themselves at a loss for words. The recent decision to deny private media companies access to government advertising rights stands as a monument of bureaucratic tomfoolery, a masterpiece of misguided governance that would be laughable if it weren’t so detrimental.
Picture if you will, a group of bureaucrats sitting around stroking their chin and pondering the age-old question “How can we make ourselves look more incompetent today? And behold from the depth of their collective ineptitudes, emerges the solution: let's withstand government advertising rights from private media companies! Brilliant! After all who needs exposure and revenue when you can bask in the warm glow of governmental favoritism?
I find this move so ridiculous. Both private and public media companies should be given equal treatment because as Kenyans we all desire that public institutions be competitive in whatever section they operate. Let’s not forget that as a country we are battling unemployment, and these media houses have been providing a solution to this challenge. These private media houses too employ Kenyans just as the private media does. But what are we doing as a country when we champion for creation of jobs to eradicate unemployment yet at the same time we are fighting and sending away the employees? Our youths will remain unemployed and fighting unemployment will forever live to be manifestos on billboards for politicians for politicians.
But lemme not be too hasty in my condemnation. Surely, there must be some rational justification for such a decision. Perhaps the government is concerned about biased reporting or journalistic integrity, but such intentions are but a mirage in the desert of bureaucratic absurdity. If the government truly cared about unbiased reporting, it would invest in promoting a diverse media landscape, rather than consolidating power in its own hands.
No, the truth of the matter is far more insidious. By denying private media companies access to government advertising rights, the powers that be are effectively muzzling dissenting voices and consolidating their stranglehold on the flow of information. It’s a classic case of the shooting of the messenger because you don’t like the message, a transparent attempt to silence criticism and maintain status quo.
Instead of fostering an environment where the press can as a watchdog, Kenyan leaders seem intent on chaining the fourth state, rendering it toothless and subservient. But history has shown time and again that attempts to muzzle the press only serve to amplify the voices and galvanize the public outcry. And in the end, this history will not look kindly upon this misguided attempt to stifle free speech and manipulate the media for political gain. The government may have won the battle but the war for truth and transparency rages out against tyranny and injustices the forces of darkness will never prevail. So let us raise our pens in defiance and condemn this absurdity for laughter is the best weapon against tyranny.
Wow I love this article,its very true