Defamation lawsuits against media organisations in Kenya are becoming ubiquitous and threaten media sustainability. DEFAMATION AGAINST PUBLIC FIGURESAs earlier discussed, defamation suits against the media by public figures have resulted in disproportionately high damages. The purpose of free speech and media freedom is that rigorous public debate is encouraged without intimidation for liability of unintended errors. The burden being imposed by inordinately high pecuniary damages against media organisations threaten media freedom. Our Defamation Act needs to be reviewed in order to favour public interest in the context of media freedom.

Source: The Star April 24, 2021 04:41 UTC