Forcing silence

Press freedom is under threat in Kenya:

Kenyans on Thursday awoke to the shocking news of a Government attack on the Standard Group, in which KTN was put off air, the printing plant disabled and tens of thousands of newspapers burnt.

And the country united in roundly condemning the raid on the media group, which was described as a blatant assault on Press freedom.

Media colleagues, politicians — including some members of Government — the Church, lobby groups, professionals, human rights activists and ordinary Kenyans all joined the management and staff of the Standard group in protesting against the barbaric move. They held demonstrations in Nairobi and Kisumu, addressed Press conferences, issued statements, called into live TV and radio broadcasts or simply called our newsrooms to express solidarity with us.

Some callers termed the attack “the darkest moment” in Kenyan history and demanded the immediate resignation of the Government.

Kenyan bloggers have expressed solidarity with the Standard Group.

Text and images ©2024 Antony Loewenstein. All rights reserved.

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