ICT Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang’i with Mr Joel Simon, the Executive Director of the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) whe he paid the minister a courtesy call in his office today.
The Kenya government has defended itself accusations of stifling media freedom, after a new report indicated 19 journalists had been assaulted over the past two months.
ICT Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang’i assured journalists of press freedom, adding that no amount of criticism will change the government’s resolve to open more space for the media.
Dr Matiang’i said the Government respects freedom of press as embedded in the Constitution.
“Our Government respects freedom of press and in return we expect journalists to exercise professionalism and responsibility in their practice,” he said during a meeting with Mr Joel Simon, the Executive Director of the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), which released the report yesterday showing how Jubilee government was out to muzzle the media through legislation.
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“Media is our way of life, but the government is often misunderstood and treated unfairly by certain quarters that fail to counter check their facts for accuracy and objectivity on the performance of Government in protecting the press,” he added.
Dr Matiang’i said the Government had done nothing wrong to warrant such criticism. “We are always open to criticism – positively or negatively, but nothing will deter the government from pursuing its policy on media freedom.”
Mr Simon promised to work with the government in future to ensure the press people are protected. Mr Simon was accompanied by CPJ’s Africa Programme Coordinator, Ms Sue Valentine.
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