Media Council Directs Broadcasters to Adopt 7-Second Delay on Live Coverage

The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has issued an advisory requiring media houses to introduce a mandatory delay in live broadcasts, citing rising concerns over misinformation and harmful content aired in real time.

In a statement released on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, the regulator pointed to an increase in “inflammatory statements, misinformation and manipulated media content” being aired, particularly during live coverage of public events and rallies.

To address this, the Council invoked Clause 11 of the Code of Conduct for Media Practice, stating that: “A media enterprise shall incorporate a minimum seven-second delay in live broadcasts to prevent the unintended publication of material that violates this Code.”

MCK emphasized that the directive is aimed at balancing press freedom with responsibility, noting that a well-regulated media environment should “uphold freedom of expression while ensuring responsibility and accountability.”

The Council further warned that once content is aired, media houses bear responsibility for any legal breaches, even if the remarks originate from third parties. It noted that any legal infractions arising from such content… ultimately attract legal responsibility on the part of the platform or publisher that disseminates it.

Media organisations have also been urged to exercise editorial caution, with the Council advising that content should not be aired in a manner likely to inflame passions or aggravate tensions, and that offensive language, especially in sensitive reporting, must be properly handled.

While acknowledging that media outlets may not control what is said at public gatherings, MCK stressed that broadcasters must take preventive steps, reminding them to remain vigilant and to take pre-emptive action to avoid breaching the Code of Ethics. The directive signals a tighter regulatory approach to live broadcasting in Kenya, particularly at a time when digital platforms and real-time coverage are playing an increasingly central role in shaping public discourse.