- Standard Media Group has claimed that the move to seek a license is to retaliate by exposing the government's evils.
- The news agency claimed that the government was demanding more than KSh 1.2 billion in unpaid advertising revenue, which is more than KSh 48 million claimed by CA
- The company's CEO, Chacha Mwita, said they had gone to court to ask for a restraint against CA allegations to announce the removal notice.
- Speaking to TUKO.co.ke, the company's chief journalists confirmed that the threats would not threaten or affect their journalism integrity
Standard Group Plc, one of the oldest and most prominent media organizations in Kenya, is facing a serious conflict with the government over the KSh 48 million debt owed by the Communications Authority (CAK), despite allegedly using the issue to silence important reports.
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The organization, established in 1902, is known for its solid and thorough investigative journalism.
In recent months, it has exacerbated its investigation into the administration of Kenya firstand publish a series of strong headlines that have reportedly sparked the anger of the power.
What is the prejudice between CA and Standard Media Group?
According to the CA, the news agency failed to pay a total of KSh 48,729,488.10 which included KSh 13.7 million for licensing fees and KSh 34.9 million for the Treasury Treasury (USF).
In a letter written on April 9, signed by CA David Mugonyi managing director, the authority warned of plans to revoke Standard Group's broadcasting licenses, citing the company's allegations failing to respect or modify its payment plan.
“The authority required you to pay the total number of regulatory fees or at least submit a payment plan before the end of the termination notifications.
However, the Standard Group has strongly opposed the allegations. The company says it had already completed KSh 10 million payments on December 27, 2024, and volunteered to send an additional 24 million KSh after concluding the issue of justice.
Additionally, it agreed to pay KSh 2.5 million monthly from January 2025, later voluntarily adding this to KSh 4 million monthly – a program that says it has considered it honestly.
The company has now filed a petition to the Court demanding that it be prevented from the publication of a reflection notice, which states that it is a political move intended to deprive the media's freedom.
“We have no choice but to fight it. We feel this is an attempt to close the media.
Did the Government pay the Standard Group debt?
Mwita also claimed that the government owed the company more than KSh 1.2 billion in unpaid advertising revenue and questioned the logic of CA to monitor what he claims is debt reduction.
Source: YouTube
“What we are reporting is the fact of this day. If the truth changes, the headlines will change. We will not reduce our journalism to please anyone. The government itself has not fulfilled its responsibility for more than KSh 1.2 billion,” he said.
Senior journalists at the Media House, who spoke to TUKO.co.ke on condition of anonymity, expressed their intention to continue their brave writing despite the threat of deprivation.
“Nothing they can do. This is a threat. We have been told not to be afraid – we must continue to report the truth.
“The government does not want to be criticized, and it is clear that this approach does not work because they have failed to respect the promises they made to the people.
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Source: TUKO.co.ke
