Burning Freedom of Press

NAIROBI- Soon after midnight on March 2nd, masked and armed with AK-47s; police raided Kenya's leading newspaper, The Standard, burning thousands of the daily papers and seizing production equipment- including computer disks and camera footage. They also stormed into Kenya Television Network (KTN) and shut the station off air until the afternoon.

The raid came only days following the arrest of three journalists from The Standard who had allegedly reported that President Kibaki had secretly met with former Environment Minister Kalonzo Musyoka. According to an Associated Press report, the Kenyan media has "reported aggressively on corruption scandals swirling around President Mwai Kibaki." On Tuesday, March 7th, thousands of protesters marched through Nairobi demanding the Internal Security Minister, John Michuki, be removed from office. Reports say Michuki approved the raid saying, "If you rattle a snake, you must be prepared to be bitten by it." Michuki also claims that the raids were issued in order to "protect state security." Previously on Monday; The Standard Group took the Government to court, with John Michuki and Police Commissioner Major General Hussein Ali as key recipients of the charges. Ali stated that he had no knowledge of the raids and was out of the country during them. But "they [The Standard Group] argue that the illegal raids, search and detention of its employees amounts to subjecting them and their employees to torture, inhuman and degrading punishment and treatment, which is contrary to the constitution," says The Standard.

Reportedly, Kibaki, who came to power in 2002, won by opposing fraudulent behavior and as a people's president, but has had three ministers resign over the last month due to rumors of corruption allegations. The Standard claims the raid was an attempt by the government to stiffer their freedom of press and investigative journalism. The United States Embassy in Kenya has criticized the raids calling them "acts of thuggery" according to the Associated Press.

The United Nations and the European Union also have expressed their disapproval and have called for an investigation. The Standard states that The World Bank has even made Freedom of Press a condition on their lifting their aid freeze, one that was incorporated after uncovered government scandals in February. The Standard has threatened to press charges against the government over the raids.

This event took place just over a month ago and it continues to be protested by the Standard itself as well as other sources. Some questions to consider: How important is it to have freedom of press? Should there be any limitations? If so, what ought they to be? What do you consider corrupt in the media? in Government? What are other considerations not mentioned here?