Shakahola massacre: MCK warns against locking journalists out of forest
The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has expressed concerns after journalists were locked from accessing the Shakahola forest to report on the tragedy.
MCK in a statement warned that denying journalists access to the forest to cover the tragedy opens the floodgates of misinformation, rumours and confusion to the whole country.
"The Media Council of Kenya takes exception with the locking out of the media from the Shakahola forest operation scene, where several bodies have been discovered. Denying the media access to report on such a matter of public interest will open the floodgates of misinformation, rumours and confusion to the whole country," MCK said.
The umbrella body for journalists further cautioned that the move to lock out members of the fourth estate violates the principles of press freedom and the right to information.
MCK called for the establishment of a media centre and regular press briefings at the site to ensure journalists access and disseminate accurate information to Kenyans.
"While noting that it is the media that drew the attention of the country to the sad happening for several weeks before any government intervention, the Media Council of Kenya calls for the establishment of a media centre and regular press briefings at the site to ensure media access and dissemination of accurate information to Kenyans," the statement said.
MCK statement comes days after Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki issued a 30-day dusk-to-dawn curfew around the forest.
The CS said the entire 800-acre parcel of land that is part of the Shakahola ranch was a disturbed area and an operation zone.
"Curfew orders have also been declared and gazetted within the said area between 1800 hrs in the evening up to and until 0600 hrs in the morning for a period of thirty (30) days.
"There shall be no public gatherings, processions or movement either alone or as a group during the period of curfew into and out of Chakama Ranch except as shall be permitted, in writing, by the Kilifi County Police Commander in consultation with the Operation Commander," Kindiki said.
