The Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK) has laid down guidelines that journalists seeking elective posts should follow before the August 9 General Election.
Through its Director-General Ezra Chiloba, CAK said that all journalists seeking elective posts should resign by April 9, 2022.
“If a person working on programmes for a station becomes a candidate or is employed or retained in any capacity by a political aspirant or a political party, he/she shall go on leave for the duration of the election period or his employment may be terminated by the station,” CAK stated in a Tuesday, February 1 statement.
Chiloba further asked media houses to follow the guidelines given by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) when handling journalists aspiring for elective positions.
“The authority requires broadcasting licensees to ensure that aspiring candidates associated with or employed by their stations take the required leave of office by April 9, 2022, as gazetted by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC),” the statement by CAK read in part.
CAK further asked media houses to be objective in their reports on the General Election by giving equitable coverage to political parties during the electioneering period.
“Uphold the democratic principles of our nation especially during the electioneering period by providing equitable coverage and opportunities to political parties and candidates ensuring that broadcasting platforms are not misused to propagate hate speech, or to incite people to violence among others,” CAK said.
