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"id": 216113,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/216113/?format=api",
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"speaker_name": "Mr. Muchiri",
"speaker_title": "The Assistant Minister for Local Government",
"speaker": {
"id": 225,
"legal_name": "Muchiri Geoffrey Gachara",
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"content": "In every profession, there is a code of conduct, and quite often it is part of an Act of Parliament that applies to a particular profession. So, when we say, for example, that the media must report accurately and fairly, we are only demanding what is obvious. You cannot call what is black white, otherwise what will you be telling us? Accuracy is not only in Mathematics, but also in every line of duty. You must be accurate in whatever you say. You must also be fair and, particularly when you write. When you put your pen to paper, you must be clear that what you are writing is accurate. It must be fair to the extent that it does not injure the so-called \"your July 4, 2007 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 2291 neighbour\", and lawyers will understand me properly. Why have we, in the field of journalism, continued to create falsehoods in many instances? Why have we been relying on sources of information that are not authenticated? I am happy that this particular legislation is bringing in some kind of order, in the sense that there is nobody in this world who purports to hold himself to be a doctor, an engineer, a valuer or even a journalist without accepting the responsibilities that go with those professions. So, for example, when we talk about integrity, journalists must have integrity, we are just emphasising what is necessary. When we say they must be accountable, or must give an opportunity to reply--- An opportunity to reply is one thing in law which is also guarded very jealously by everybody and the courts. For example, you cannot condemn somebody unheard. There is a Latin maxim that goes with it, but I do not want to bother this House with it. However, an opportunity to reply where a matter is being complained about is also important and it is obvious. It goes on and on. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, when we are talking about this legislation, it is important that we tell the Attorney-General that when companies are being registered to carry out this kind of work, it is important that they must have a fixed abode. Sometimes it is perturbing when people purport to carry on some journalism in what is called \"the alternative Press\" - I do not want to call them the \"gutter Press\". You cannot know where such newspapers are being printed or where their offices are, yet they purport to know who procured what abortions. I think it is best that we hold our horses in some of those things, because each one of us has had his own experience. However, where falsehoods are peddled in the print media, where some in the alternative Press say that a particular hon. Member does not go home, speak here or does not go to his constituency, yet he goes to those places, what are we supposed to do? That is why we are saying that there is no monopoly of those things. There is no monopoly to write or speak."
}