If the main mass media — television, instead of Internet: as it happens

unnoticed by attention of the central TV channels which for certain long thought, in what heading to carry a plot — to show business, incidents or society column. Well, not to policy …

Nevertheless "guardians" from the Kenyan management fired a volley from tools of the main caliber. At once after announcement of a plot transmitters of three largest private TV stations of the country — TV channel "NTV", by KTN and "Cityzen TV" were sealed. Thus the broadcasting of the state broadcasting company Kenya and the pro-presidential K24 channel, too planning to tell about an episode in Naihubi park to Ukhur, remained in full.

next day that three television stations remain closed until all investigations concerning them "alleged communications with an oppositional wing of NASA, the National resistance movement" which was outlawed on the same Tuesday will be complete. That is it is almost termless.

For Kenya where network mass media are developed extremely poorly, as well as the traditional print media, closing of key national TV channels in such insignificant occasion — after all the plot did not get at all to air, only was declared plans to show it — became shock.

the Secretary general of the influential Kenyan Organization of labor unions (CAT) of Frances Atloli accused the government of intervention in freedom of mass media.

Acting to Nairobi on Wednesday January 31, Atloli told that this step is illegal and Kenya which provides freedom of mass media, freedom of access to information and the right for fair administrative proceedings contradicts the constitution.

"The government has to restore work of these television stations quickly. Not only it is wrong, but also unconstitutionally to block them — it is a question of their usual activities for informing of Kenyans" — Mr. Atloli told. "Now not time to be rolled away back to dictatorship" — continued Atloli and added that "our some neighbors do not have it even, in the countries where presidents very much try to create problems to the people. Mass media have the right to shine events without prosecution or intimidation".

the Chairman of Guild of editors Kenya Linus Kaikai , after closing of TV channels publicly sounded details of the closed meeting in the State house (office of the Kenyan president) on January 26 on which the president Keniatta "directly threatened" to close and withdraw licenses of any edition or TV channel which will broadcast planned "oath" of the leader of NASA on the air. Before closing of three leading TV channels of the party kept confidentiality about the fact and a subject of this meeting.

"The guild was shaken by details of a meeting which took place in the atmosphere of intimidation of present representatives of mass media. This barefaced threat is intended to intimidate mass media from performance of the lawful role of informing of the public on the questions infringing on interests of all society" — Linus Kaikai on Thursday February 1 told.

Governmental measures for blocking of work of mass media the secretary general of the Kenyan union of journalists Eric Oduor also publicly condemned: "It unacceptably and can support only our analysis that we faced the most serious threats of mass media in the history of this country".

Here should note that the guarding passion of government office and personally the president became for local media bosses a bolt from the blue. Information space Kenya in general quite adjustable environment, and the parties always were able to agree about borders of the admissible zakulisno. Tone and the threats which have sounded at meeting on January 26, became for media executives a bolt from the blue, but also in this situation they kept the developed rules of the game. Before the blocking of three leading TV channels of any leak about the closed meeting in the State house in one edition did not occur though at a meeting there were tens editors and leading journalists.

Now cannot judge why handed over brakes at the president Keniatt, but the first act of aggression was made by it — and the authorities received the furious and very influential opponent in the form of almost all national media community.

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all telecasts for three private stations. The judge Chacha Mvita also issued the single resolutions forbidding to the government from now on to interfere with work of any television channels while case will not be considered on the substance of February 14.

, guessing the forthcoming decision of court, the authorities made attempt to arrest the chairman of Guild of editors Kenya Linus Kaykaya, and also senior editors TV channel "NTV" Larry Madovo's and Ken Midzhungu's — and did not find for this purpose anything the best, than to storm police forces the National center, headquarters of National media group. Certainly, the television picture of police armored cars and the assault groups attacking the media center, decorated with itself air of evening news of the majority of the African TV channels.

attempt of the government to close three private TV channels as "the sad moment of freedom of mass media to Kenya".

these words, standing in a shot together with leaders of the national Commission on Human Rights Kenya (KNCHR) and the head of interreligious council Kenya. The president Keniatta, starting war with all media community of the country, obviously lost sight of possibilities of political mobilization which media bosses in Africa have where television, instead of Internet, remains the main moderator of political views of population not really competent and not really interested in policy.