(all pictures from google.co.ke)
It is shocking, the Former President Mwai Kibaki presided
over the launch of the digital migration in 2010. All media stations were
present and accounted for. No one complained, no one went to court to stop the
process, everyone accepted it and we as Kenyans moved forward.
3 years down the line, when the deadline is approaching three
leading media stations decide to collaborate to stop the process. This comes
after an international company is given the mandate to carry the digital
signal. I do not know why but every court case they have gone through so far,
the government and the ministry have come out on top.
When their analogue signal is blocked, they take matters into
their own hands and switch of their digital broadcast signals. They then say
they are looking after the 'ordinary' Kenyan interests who they claim cannot
afford a set up box. The funny thing they ask them to 'tweet'. So the 'ordinary'
Kenyan can afford a phone to tweet but cannot afford Kshs. 3,300 to buy a
digital box and after that get 50 (not so sure about this). local and international TV stations for free?
Fact; Nation media group (NMG) is owned by his Highness the
Aga Khan, what are they talking about they don't want the international
community to determine our media? Why doesn't Aga Khan sell NMG to a local so that
their argument can be valid?
They are lying to people that they will be paying monthly
subscriptions, where is the proof? If they have evidence why have they not
shown it?
On 27th Feb they posted pictures of people rioting against the
Communication Authority of Kenya (CAK). They have been beaten in court so they
decided to take it the streets. I am ashamed at their immaturity.
For five years they knew Kenya was moving to the digital era.
Five years is all it takes for a person to go to university and graduate or a
toddler to grow up and go to pre-unit. They waited five years to be switched
off and then complain they are being targeted, really?
The worst part, is that not that many Kenyans are supporting
their campaign. People are more informed today. The naivety and ignorance that
was there 15 to 20 years ago is gone. Kenyans know much more.
I am sad that they have been switched off. I love KTN, I
won't lie, but how they handled the matter is what is most disturbing. I
thought they would be mature and do as the government had requested. If you
look at how they are reporting about their situation it is very discouraging.
At the end it is their loss.
That is the problem with wielding power. Once you lose it you
become paranoid and blame others for your misfortune when you should have
foreseen your downfall 5 years ago.
I would like to see the three media houses rising up to the
challenge and support the digital migration. It would help them as well because
KBC had unfavorable competition by broadcasting everywhere. They now can
broadcast themselves to the most remote parts of the country. True the TV
stations will be many and they will lose some loyal viewers, but at least they
should put the country's interests first. Without that people will just be looking
at them as they continue their shady antics.
Moreover, they have employed people who I know from
university. They had just started off. How unfair is it to them? what about the
employees they have hired? where will they go?
It is unfair (I will say that again and again).They tried to
garner support from politicians who have stakes in their companies, they
failed. They went to court they failed. They tried to get Kenyan support, the
Kenyans turned to K24. They should realize Kenyans want to go digital and they
should join the bandwagon and let us move forward as a country. I hope they
will be back on air soon. We respect and appreciate the work they have done
over the years.
Goodbye Analogue, Halo Digital
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