Sunday, March 4, 2012

Media in the dock over Hague cases



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By NATION REPORTER
Posted  Sunday, March 4  2012 at  22:30
An international think-tank monitoring the Kenyan cases at The Hague has accused the local media of working with the suspects to sway public opinion against the International Criminal Court.
The International Crisis Group (ICG) says the public’s approval of the court’s role in Kenya has been declining due to a “deft media engagement” by the accused.
The group says that initially, the court enjoyed tremendous goodwill in the media but the tide has changed.
“Because of the history of impunity, the media felt that supporting international trials was a public duty. However, immediately after they were identified, the suspects embarked on an extensive and sophisticated media campaign to cast themselves as victims of the court and of machinations by political opponents intent on preventing their participation in the 2012 elections,” said the group in a report.
The court’s pre-trial chamber judges on January 23 committed Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, then head of Public Service Francis Muthaura, Eldoret North MP William Ruto and journalist Joshua arap Sang to trial for crimes against humanity for their alleged role in the 2007/8 post-election violence.
According to the ICG, the media have lately been playing a huge role in portraying the suspects as victims. “During the recent hearings at The Hague, the media picked up this theme, covering the cases as if Moreno-Ocampo was prosecuting Kenya, not individual suspects,” it said.
The researchers advise the ICC to intensify efforts to explain its mandate and processes.
The lawyer for the violence victims, Mr Morris Anyah, last week accused the government of reacting to the ICC as if it is Kenya and its people on trial.

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