Kenya's Media Council warned Wednesday it would crackdown on propaganda mongering on the social media after the government announced it intended to act against foreign reporters operating without government licenses.
Victor Bwire, the Executive Director of the Council, told PANA the implementation of new sets of measures and the pending prosecution of foreign journalists would follow suit shortly.
'Some of them are denying the government money. They are engaging in things they should not engage in. We are not clamping down on press freedom. We are just ensuring that journalists also respect the law,' Bwire told PANA.
The Kenya National Integration and Cohesion Commission said it was observing propaganda messages on the social media that would likely create political unrest after journalists tweeted 'Police state'.
There were other tweets all over the social media calling the move against journalists operating in Kenya a fresh attempt to return Kenya to an undemocratic past and that it might signal a crackdown against foreigners in Kenya.
Information Secretary Ezekiel Mutua, told PANA the decision was based on the need to tighten security of all Kenyans and all living in the country.
'It should not be taken to mean a threat to press freedom. There is normal Accreditation procedures that is required of all, even in our neighboring countries of Uganda. The accreditation is tied to immigration procedures for three months, after that, one requires work permits,' he added.
Several journalists covered the Kenyan elections and the government says some journalists accredited to cover the elections have been making documentary films without obtaining the licenses.
Mutua said the foreign journalists were 'dodging' work permits.
Pana 14/03/2013