MCK CEO David Omwoyo, [Photo Courtesy: Media Council of Kenya]
The Media Council of Kenya has taken issue with the move by the government to censor the media from covering the Shakahola Forest massacre whose death toll has hit 100 afternoon Thursday.
On Wednesday the Police denied entry to journalists in the grave sides in the 800 acres parcel of land where Pastor Paul Mackenzie is said to have buried his followers, condoning off the scene as a crime.
Through a statement on twitter, MCK Chief Executive Officer David Omwoyo has argued that the censorship will open the floodgates of misinformation, rumors and confusion to the country.
“Denying the media access to report on such a matter of public interest will open the floodgates of misinformation, rumours and confusion to the whole country. It violates the principles of press freedom and the right to information.”
Omwoyo has added that the directive violates the principles of press freedom and the right to information.
In his visit in the region Tuesday, Interior CS Kithure Kindiki set up a commanding station at Chakarana ranch asking the members of the public to provide the govt with information that will aid in investigation.
The government however did not specify how the public will access information on the shakahola massacre, MCK further calling for an establishment of a media center with regular press briefings on site to ensure media access and dissemination of accurate information to Kenyans.
“We note that it is the media that drew attention of the country to the sad happening for several weeks before any GoK intervention,we call for establishment of a media centre®ular press briefings on site to ensure media access &dissemination of accurate information to Kenyans.”