Government finally ends 7-day media shutdown
NTV and KTN News are back on air after after 7 days of a government-enforced shutdown. However, Citizen TV, the other station affected by the government crackdown on the media remains shut.
NTV signals are back on air on pay TV carriers DStv, GOtv and Zuku.
The Communication Authority of Kenya (CA) switched off the TVs on January 30 mid-morning to prevent a live broadcast of ‘swearing’ in of Nasa leader Raila Odinga as the ‘people’s president’ at Uhuru Park, Nairobi.
NTV, which is owned by Nation Media Group, was the first to go off air, followed by Citizen TV of Royal Media Services Ltd.
SWITCHED OFF
Two hours later, KTN, which is owned by Standard Group, was switched off.
The media blackout has been condemned by the United Nations, the US, European Union and human rights organisations.
Three NTV journalists have also been targeted for arrest in the government’s continued crackdown on the media.
The three – NMG Broadcasting General Manager Kaikai and presenters Larry Madowo and Ken Mijungu – have since been granted anticipatory bail of Sh100,000.
The trio were due to present themselves with their lawyers at CID headquarters on Monday 2pm.