The Government has proposed a policy that could ban cross-media ownership in the country.
Information minister Mutahi Kagwe confirmed that the policy, which is contained in the broader Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) framework, was discussed and passed by the Cabinet last week.
"We are asking ourselves whether we should allow one person to own a newspaper, TV station and four FM radio stations," he said.
Addressing representatives of political parties who are attending a three-day workshop at KCTTI, Mbagathi, Kagwe said the ICT policy would be discussed in Parliament. He said the new guidelines would stop irresponsible FM stations from spreading dangerous and tribal propaganda.
The Government, he said, would strive to protect the media from itself because media owners could be influencing content.
"All serious issues bedeviling society like corruption and bribery are also within the media," said Kagwe.
He said journalists must be protected from unprofessional people who want to control content. The concern over cross-media ownership, he said, was also fuelled by limited radio frequencies.
Kagwe said the policy would increase the freedom of the Press as well as protect the masses. The proposal, he said, would also aim at making Kenya an information technology hub in the region. The minister, however, said he supports self-regulation.
The workshop is aimed at strengthening the relationship between the media and political parties. The participants will learn how to prepare Press statements, among other things.
Kagwe also said he would support the political parties Bill.
"If Kenyans want multiparty democracy to thrive they must be prepared to pay for it because political parties must be independent from patronage," he said.
He commended Kenyans for their maturity during the referendum campaigns.
