The Communication Authority CA) of Kenya has issued a public notice on the implementation of 4th Edition of programming code for broadcasting services in the country.
The Programming Code will further be supported by Broadcasting Sector Guidelines based on industry needs and requirements.
In the Notice issued today signed by the Director General David Mugonyi, the authority has reviewed Programming Code that was arrived at through a public consultation process and gazetted on 8th March 2024 via Kenya Gazette notice No. 2726 in Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVI No.29.
“The comments received informed the final 4th Edition of the Programming Code which is now available for free download on the Authority’s website https://www.ca.go.ke/market-structure”, the notice said
In the order paper, all broadcasting licensees are therefore required to comply with the provisions of the Programming Code to ensure that as a public resource, broadcasting platforms at all times maintain a standard that is acceptable to all sections of the Kenyan community.
Further, the DG has advised broadcasting licensees to ensure compliance with the said Programming Code as such compliance will form part of the basis for issuance of Annual Compliance Certificates and license renewals.
The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) is the regulatory agency for the ICT industry in Kenya with responsibilities in telecommunications, e-commerce, cyber security, broadcasting and postal/courier services.
The CA is also responsible for managing the country’s numbering and frequency spectrum resources, administering the Universal Service Fund (USF) as well as protecting interests of users of ICT services.
The Authority is vested with the responsibility of promoting and facilitating the development of the broadcasting industry in Kenya. This includes setting standards for the time and manner of programmes to be broadcast by ALL licensees as provided for under Section 46H (1) of Kenya Information and Communications Act, 1998 (as amended).
The Act empowers the Authority to prescribe, review and ensure compliance with the Programming Code. The dynamic nature of broadcasting necessitated the review of the Programming Code to incorporate the broadcasting content requirements for both free-to-air and subscription service providers. These provisions shall be applicable to ALL broadcasting licensees.
By Wangari Ndirangu
