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{
    "id": 403533,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/403533/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 320,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Kemei",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 2778,
        "legal_name": "Justice Kipsang Kemei",
        "slug": "justice-kipsang-kemei"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir. I rise to support the Bill. At the very outset, I must also mention that I have been a journalist and a firm believer in the freedom of speech and the Media. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, Article 34 of our Constitution envisages a situation where media is free and independent. When we look at the cornerstone of our Constitution, it is about expansion of the democratic space. It is about enriching freedom in this country and accountability, the destiny of this nation and how we can get there. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I support the Bill because for the first time, we are moving the media; which is just like any other industry towards self-regulation. I want to say that, just like the lawyers and engineers, professionals must be allowed to regulate themselves for growth and vibrancy. This is one major step that we are taking to have the media regulate itself. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, if you look at Article 35 of the Constitution, it talks about access to information. In this country we have relied more on the media to facilitate access to information. It is the kind of media that is envisaged in this Bill that shall make us realize the right to information. There have been issues about unfairness of the media and inaccuracy of the articles that they write. There have been issues about fairness, accuracy and objectivity. It is now up to the Media Council to set and enforce the ethics that are to be observed by our media men and women. If you look critically, the media has always felt that they need to be given space. Indeed, that is true. But we must understand that space is within the context in which we as a nation operate. We must give the chance to the media to kick out the quacks and the half-baked journalists that have spoiled the profession. We must give the chance to the media to discipline errant practitioners and even to register foreign journalists who come to practise in this country. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the role which has been played by the Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology and the Cabinet Secretary at the moment must be a thing of the past. That is what this Bill envisages. There will be amendments; I ask my colleagues in the Fourth Estate to engage us at this point in time so that the rancor that was created because of the Information and Communication Bill can be avoided. We have time to make the necessary amendments before we get to the Third Reading of this Bill. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I support the Bill and I say, for the first time, we are making the journalists in this country to be the author and finishers of their own fortunes or misfortunes. I beg to support."
}