Govt to fast-track clearance of media pending payments
The authorities is eager on guaranteeing unpaid payments owed to the media is cleared sooner or later. Speaking throughout a roundtable with media stakeholders, Information, Communication and the Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary Dr Margaret Nyambura Ndung’u stated whereas all unpaid payments have been forwarded to the taskforce, a number of the claims introduced have both been already cleared or can’t be verified.
“We note and acknowledge there is confusion and lack of a clear government advertising policy and feelings of a discriminatory government advertising regime,” stated Dr Ndung’u.
According to the CS, the immediate cost of the payments will guarantee media sector have entry to funds with a purpose to meet their wage obligations.
“On the matter of prioritising workers’ salaries, we all agree that the government has no obligation to dictate how media owners spend their revenue, my ministry will engage media owners on prioritizing of workers’ welfare and pay as soon as the pending bills payment are ready to be made,” she added.
During the media roundtable, Dr Ndung’u additional acknowledged that the Cabinet is finalizing a memo on restructuring the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) to reinforce its supply on its mandate in fulfilment of its obligations to its staff, the federal government and Kenyans at giant.
Additionally, Dr Ndung’u stated her ministry is eager on guaranteeing the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) board is constituted within the rapid time period as last choice of 10 fits filed which has hindered institution of a correct board to supervise capabilities of the council.
“The Ministry is in the process of reviewing the Act to bring some stability in the regulation of the sector in general and the appointment of the Council members in particular. We promise to involve stakeholders in all the processes to ensure that the proposed Amendments eliminate the confusion on the role of different stakeholders,” acknowledged Dr Ndung’u.
In a bid to streamline licensing within the broadcasting sector, the ministry is focusing on to eradicate those that both haven’t any capability or are holding licences and frequencies for speculative functions.
As at September this 12 months, Kenya had 252 radio stations and 246 Television stations.
