Assessing The Impact of Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism Laws on Freedom of The Media in Kenya

Abstract

This chapter explores how terrorism and counter-terrorism laws are reshaping freedom of the media in Kenya. In specific terms, the chapter assesses the impact of structural conditions imposed by the government in support of its counter-terrorism initiative on the agency of journalists while covering terrorism. Two questions will guide the discussions in this chapter: (1) In what ways has terrorism and counter-terrorism initiatives influenced or limited freedom of the media in Kenya? (2) In what ways has the enactment of terrorism-related laws impacted on the agency of journalists in Kenya? Data was gathered through a triangulation of textual analysis and interviews with purposively selected journalists. The findings indicate that freedom of the media in the country has been clawed back through an enactment of restrictive counter-terrorism laws. Access to information, production and the promotion of public interest journalism relating to terrorism has significantly been hampered by the existing structural laws, rules and protocols.