CC image courtesy of Rotsee2
The Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) may be replaced with a new regulator should the Kenya Information and Communication Amendment Act 2013 go through in its present form following its tabling on Monday.
HumanIPO reported earlier this month the on the bill, before it was submitted to cabinet for approval, but having been published on July 22, it now appears the CCK will be replaced by a communications authority immediately under the commencement of the Act.
Under the amendment the current commission is referred to as “the former commission” indicating the fate of the current regulator.
Section 3 of the Kenya Information and Communication Amendment Act, Part 2, of the principal Act, is amended by deleting the words “Communication Commission of Kenya” wherever they appear and substituting them for the words “Communication Authority of Kenya”.
The amendment seeks to create an authority that is free of government, political or commercial interest while exercising its powers.
Questions have however arisen over the independence of the authority given the cabinet secretary still reserves the right to issue policy guidelines to the authority and the cabinet secretary shall be responsible for the short listing of seven members of the board with the president remaining the appointing authority.
The board shall further have three principal secretaries including that of finance, security and ICT.
Already media practitioners have raised a red flag on the assumption of the power to administer broadcast content, formulate media standards and regulate compliance.
Little representation looks set to be given to stakeholders outside of government.
