In a bid to stem rising cases of terror-related attacks in the country, Kenya's National Assembly is set to discuss the Security Law (amendment) Bill 2014, which puts social media and broadcast stations on caution.
The bill stipulates that any person without having consent from the National Police Service cannot print or broadcast any material that would undermine terror-related cases, including pictures of terrorist victims.
The bill in section 75, 30F (2) states: "A person who publishes or broadcasts photographs of victims of a terrorist attack without the consent of the National Police Service and of the victim commits an offense and is liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment for a period not exceed three years or to a fine of five million shillings (US$55,000) or both."
Social media and its use in the country has been under the spotlight recently because of specific events, including where users shared pictures and posts of the two Mandera terror attacks victims. Social media users have also been criticised for sharing videos of different women who were publically stripped and assaulted.
An editorial piece in Kenya's newspaper The Standard said: "If content of any post on social media is deemed obscene or offensive by the government, the originator will face three years jail term or one million shillings fine."
The editorial in The Standard continues to say that: "The media has a duty to inform and educate. That becomes a far cry if news item must first receive state approbation before publication. The requirement that media houses seek police approval before running stories on terrorism or risk Sh5 million fine is, to say the least, preposterous. This only happens in police states where sensitive information is withheld from the public."
There has been a public uproar over the content of the proposed legislation with civil society describing the bill as 'draconian'. It authorises the National Intelligence Service to gain access to any place and obtain any information and monitor communication.
Pressure has been mounting on President Kenyatta to stem the rising tide of insecurity in the country. The president recently cautioned the media to be objective in the discussion on matters touching on security.
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