Communications Authority shuts down TV signals over protest coverage in major crackdown on press freedom

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has conducted raids on major media transmission stations, shutting down free-to-air signals in a dramatic escalation of its directive banning live coverage of the ongoing anti-government protests.

Several media stations, including NTV, KTN and Citizen TV, confirmed that their signals were either disrupted or their transmission infrastructure was interfered with by CAK officials.

The shutdown comes just hours after the Authority ordered all television and radio stations to immediately stop live broadcasting of the “Justice for Our Mashujaa” demonstrations.

In a statement, Nation Media Group (NMG) confirmed that the signal for its television station NTV was taken off-air “unconstitutionally” by the CA.

No due process

“This action has been taken without due process, following an advisory circulated on social media by the authority instructing all television and radio stations to cease live coverage of countrywide anti-government protests,” NMG said.

The media house warned that the move violates Article 34(2) of the Constitution, which guarantees media freedom and bars the state from controlling or penalising broadcasters for their editorial decisions.

“Specifically, the Constitution states the state shall not exercise control over or interfere with any person engaged in broadcasting or penalise any person for any opinion or view or the content of any broadcast,” it said.

High Court ruling

The media house also cited a High Court ruling which found that CA lacks the legal mandate to regulate broadcast content, an authority legally granted to the Media Council of Kenya.

“The shutdown of NTV is therefore a direct interference with our editorial operations and a suppression of the media’s constitutionally protected role to inform the public. At the time of the shutdown, NTV was responsibly covering ongoing protests, a matter of significant public interest,” NMG said, urging its viewers to access NTV Live via YouTube and social media platforms.

NMG affirmed it would pursue legal redress.

KTN, under the Standard Group, also confirmed that its transmission had been affected.

“KTN taken off-air following Communications Authority directive to halt live coverage of protests; but coverage continues on KTN News YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter platforms,” the station posted.

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Earlier, the Standard Group stated it had not officially received the CAK directive but had verified it through editors in other media houses. It also claimed that CA had ordered signal carriers to deplatform any media house broadcasting the protests live.

“We are consulting our lawyers to establish the legality of this order, which aims to plunge the country into a news blackout,” read part of the statement.

The Standard Group pledged to continue airing content in the public interest until the legal position was clarified.

This is not the first time CA has threatened media houses during periods of civic unrest. The Standard Group recalled similar warnings during last year’s anti-Finance Bill protests when demonstrators breached Parliament.

Citizen TV also confirmed that CAK officials had arrived at its transmission site in Limuru, although it did not clarify the extent of the disruption.

Unconstitutional, repressive

Civil society organisations, legal experts, and media stakeholders have condemned the move, terming it unconstitutional, repressive and a blatant assault on media freedom.

The Kenya Editors’ Guild (KEG) said CA has violated the press freedom, constitutional rights and existing judicial orders.

“CA’s claim that it is acting under Articles 33 and 34 of the Constitution is legally and factually flawed. These provisions protect free expression, not prohibit it,” KEG President Zubeidah Kananu said.

KEG reminded CA of a 2023 High Court judgment in Kenya Editors’ Guild & Others v Communications Authority & Others, which restrained the authority from interfering with live broadcasts and upheld the principle of non-interference by state agencies in editorial matters.

“By ignoring this ruling, CA is actively undermining judicial authority and reopening the door to unconstitutional state censorship,” KEG said.

The Editors' Guild demanded the immediate withdrawal of the directive and urged Parliament and the Judiciary to investigate CA’s conduct.

The Law Society of Kenya, the Police Reforms Working Group, and the Kenya Medical Association expressed grave concern over the directive, warning that it poses a threat to constitutional freedoms, emergency medical response, and national stability.

“This directive is a misinterpretation of constitutional provisions and a dangerous step towards suppressing fundamental freedoms in Kenya,” the groups said.,

Not propaganda

They pointed out that live coverage of protests, even those marked by sporadic violence, does not constitute propaganda or incitement.

“Live broadcasts serve a crucial role in a democratic society. This transparency is vital in preventing the spread of misinformation and rumours,” they said, warning that internet shutdowns or broadcast blackouts could impede emergency medical responses and violate the right to safety under Article 29.

The groups said they would pursue institutional and individual legal action against CAK officials if the directive was not withdrawn by 4 pm on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the Kenya Media Sector Working Group (KMSWG) condemned the shooting of NTV journalist Ruth Sarmwei with a rubber bullet while covering the protests, terming it an attack on press freedom.

“Switching off the media is not a solution. These are outdated and unproductive decisions that can only aggravate the matter,” KMSWG said.

KMSWG urged the CA to respect the Constitution, court orders, and democratic norms, warning that any disruption to internet access would violate Articles 33, 35, and 37 of the Constitution and set a dangerous precedent.