Posted on Thursday, March 02, 2006 2:27 PM
Tom Mshindi, CEO The Standard Group, on a press conference this morning.
'This is serious hampering of press freedom in Kenya.'
The Kenyan Television Network and the newspaper The Standard, were both shutdown for more then 11 hours. Responsible minister Michuki of National Security said that the Standard Group was engaged in acts that were endangering national security. 'The one who rattles a snake can be bitten,' he said.
The board of directors of The Standard Group, and media organisations in Kenya, strongly condemned the act. They have reasons to believe that the shutdown of the station and the paper are related to another case, where three journalists of The Standard are detained. They alledgely published wrong information by writing that former minister of Environment Musyoka has a private meeting with president Kibaki. The three are still under custody.
Video report on the act, with thanks to National Television in Kenya, who provided some of the footage.