Advanced Television

Kenya initiates Broadcasting Code

July 5, 2016

By Chris Forrester

Kenya ‘s Communications Authority has implemented its new Broadcasting Code, effective July 1st.

Free-to-air TV and radio broadcasters must now air at least 40 per cent local content this year, rising to 60 per cent by Year 4.

The Code also requires broadcasters to respect ‘family viewing’ hours running from 5am to 10pm, and not to air anything that is contentious or inappropriate during this period.

“The new laws are meant to protect children from programming content that has undesirable elements like nudity, strong language and violence especially during the watershed period which runs from 5am to 10pm,” Francis Wangusi, director general of the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) said.

The new rules were outlined at the beginning of January, and immediately gathered objections because news transmissions were excluded from the 40 per cent quota.

Categories: Articles, Broadcast, Policy, Regulation