The Editors Guild and the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) have strongly condemned the Kenyan government’s directive to halt live broadcast of the June 25th protests in Kenya, calling the move unconstitutional and an attack on press freedom. The protests, led largely by Gen Z demonstrators opposing the Finance Bill 2024, have gained national momentum, prompting intense media coverage across Nairobi and other regions.
LSK, Editors Guild Say Government Overreach Threatens Democracy
In a joint statement issued on Tuesday, the two organizations said the Communications Authority’s directive instructing broadcasters to cease live transmission of the June 25th protests in Kenya undermines the right to information as enshrined in Article 35 of the Constitution. They argue that the move is reminiscent of autocratic tactics used to stifle dissent and suppress civic space.
According to the LSK, the government has no legal mandate to direct how media houses cover public demonstrations unless such coverage violates national security laws—which, they argue, is not the case here. The Editors Guild added that covering protests is a critical part of journalism’s watchdog role and that curtailing it signals a dangerous drift toward media censorship.
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Public Backlash as Kenyan Youth Mobilize Online
The backlash from the public has been swift. Youth activists and digital influencers from Nairobi to Mombasa have taken to social media under trending hashtags like #RejectFinanceBill2024 and #FreedomOfThePress, condemning what they call a deliberate attempt to blindfold the public during critical moments of civic engagement.
Many Kenyans fear that restricting live coverage of the June 25th protests in Kenya will embolden rogue security responses and reduce government accountability, especially as reports of police brutality emerge in earlier demonstrations. With mainstream media under pressure and online platforms closely monitored, questions remain about the future of free expression in the country.
Media Watchdog Calls for International Attention
The Kenya Editors Guild has called on regional and international media freedom watchdogs to take note of what they call a deliberate erosion of civil liberties. They’ve warned that if allowed to stand, the live broadcast ban could set a precedent for future state interference in media operations.
Law experts have echoed the sentiment, stating that the government is treading dangerously close to violating international press freedom obligations under treaties such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Kenya is a signatory.
As tensions continue to rise over the June 25th protests in Kenya, the government’s decision to restrict live media coverage is facing intense scrutiny from both legal and media institutions. Whether the directive holds or is overturned, the incident has already sparked a nationwide conversation on the limits of government power, the resilience of press freedom, and the role of youth in shaping Kenya’s democratic space.
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