Anti-riot police were forced to disperse a group of demonstrators at the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK) headquarters demanding a quick solution to the ongoing digital migration tug of war.
The lobbyists, carrying old ‘analogue’ television sets and live chicken chanted: “They have eaten chicken…we need our stations back.” “Why are they punishing millions of Kenyans who cannot afford the monthly subscription?” asked one of the activists. “Have they eaten chicken to deny us our right to information?”
According to CAK Director General Francis Wangusi, the three media houses have no choice but to switch to the digital platforms. “We will issue a second notice to three media houses to go back to the digital TV platform. Failure to adhere to this directive they will lose their licences,” said Wangusi on Thursday. “We are not going to issue a third Broadcast Signal Distribution (BSD) licence.”
A consortium of Nation Media Group, Royal Media Services and The Standard Group called African Digital Network (ADN) has been embroiled in a tussle with the signal distributor over awarding the conglomerate a licence which has only been awarded to Kenya Broadcasting Corporation’s (KBC) subsidiary Signet and Chinese firm Pan African Network Group (PANG).
