There were deep concerns about the potential of possible internet and mass media disruptions during the protests.
Social media platforms, media houses, telecommunication and internet companies have been asked to resist any rumoured attempts by the government to block access to the internet and mass media during this week’s demonstrations against the Finance Bill 2024.
Per a statement issued on Monday, June 24 by 27 international organisations and Kenyan associations of content creators, lawyers, medical officers and human rights defenders, there were deep concerns about the potential of possible internet and mass media disruptions during the protests.
Amnesty Kenya argued that the internet and mass media are critical for the enjoyment of the public’s right to be informed, citizen’s self-expression, e-commerce and the digital economy that is responsible for close to 10 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).Â
The groups criticised the recent shadow-banning of hashtags promoting the protests. However, other hashtags with spelling and grammatical errors were propagated, though a capital-lettered version of #RejectFinanceBill2024 received over one million mentions on X globally.
Kenyans protest against the Finance Bill 2024 in Nairobi. /ALJAZEERA
“Shutting down or throttling the internet, shadow-banning hashtags, or a mass media ban on live reporting would be a gross violation of fundamental human rights. It will undermine the legitimate rights of people to organize, demonstrate and participate in policymaking processes,” read the statement in part.
“#RejectFinanceBill2024 hashtag is not just a trending topic on social media. It symbolizes citizens organizing an important dialogue on the 2024 Finance Bill and its implications for our national economy and all our livelihoods.”
According to the groups, disrupting mass communication will also increase national uncertainty, cut off the public and authorities from reliable updates, and choke the timely deployment of emergency medical services and tracing of missing persons.Â
In more damaging consequences, the organisations warned that internet shutdowns would also halt online transactions, slow down economic activity, and cause economic harm and that the disruptions would severely restrict human rights monitoring and reporting of government security operations.
As documented in the ACCESS 2023 report, total or partial internet shutdowns are becoming familiar with Government strategies for responding to public protests. They also cover up grave violations of human rights, state-sanctioned violence against peaceful protestors, abductions and killings.
The Kenyan authorities are thus obligated to protect the right to right to conscience, opinion, self-expression, and association as enshrined in Kenyan law and international frameworks to which they are party.
The groups also revealed that at this critical democratic juncture in Kenya, the government must appreciate the crucial role of the internet and mass media in policy discourse and refrain from any form of internet shutdown or media interference.
“We call upon the Government of Kenya and the Communications Authority to affirm that the people of Kenya can access an open, reliable, secure and free internet and a free press at a time when they need it the most,” the groups appealed.
They however called on social media platforms inclusive of Meta-owned Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp as well as TikTok, among others, to resist any attempts by the government to impose restrictions on social and mass media during the protests.
“Should the Government of Kenya attempt to block or restrict social and mass media during the #RejectFinanceBill2024 protests, we urge social media platforms to push back and uphold freedoms enshrined in Kenya’s constitution and international human rights standards.
“Censorship or restricting access to social and mass media will be unlawful and counterproductive at this time,” added the statement.
Among the undersigned groups include Access Now, Amnesty International Kenya, Article 19 Eastern Africa, the Law Society of Kenya, The Police Reforms Working Group, the Bloggers Association of Kenya, the Kenya Human Rights Commission, and the Kenya Medical Association.
A man watching TV at his home. /FILE