The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has announced that it is making final touches on the review of children and local content programming guidelines. This CA says is, in recognition of the changing nature of broadcasting models.
Unlike under the Unified Programming Code, where both free-to-air and pay television providers were required to meet similar set requirements, the proposed new guidelines are ‘service-specific’, applicable only to licensees offering the service in question, for example News, or premium content.
The broadcasting sector guidelines will also expound on the provisions of the Programming Code and cater for emerging broadcasting industry requirements/issues.
The announcement was made during the recently held fourth annual broadcasters KUZA Awards by ICT, Innovation and Youth Affairs Cabinet Secretary, Joe Mucheru. The CS said the review is in line with the Government’s policy objective of facilitating the development of a responsive and responsible local broadcasting industry.
The ICT sector law mandates the CA to prescribe a Programming Code that sets the standards for the time and manner of programmes to be broadcast by licensees. The current Code was developed in 2015 and came to force in 2016.
The review is part of the Authority’s commitment that the Programming Code should be reviewed every two years.
“We are in the process of finalizing the review of guidelines in key areas like Children’s Programming, Local Content and Niche Programming. These revised guidelines seek to seal any existing gaps and bring clarity in the broadcasting content standards,” said Mr. Mucheru.
He also noted that the review is meant to ensure that the measurable parameters of the Code are updated regularly.
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