Thursday, August 23, 2012

Rethink Rules On Political Messages


Rethink Rules On Political Messages

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THE Communications Commission of Kenya has given new guidelines for bulk SMS messages by political parties. The CCK has ruled that SMS messages should only be sent between 9am and 6pm to subscribers who have opted in. They also said that mobile phone operators should screen SMS messages for 'hate speech'.
The CCK is well intentioned but these rules go too far. Bulk SMS messages come from identifiable third party content providers. Surely these are the people who should be held responsible for any hate speech. As it is, we will now have telecom companies vetting what parties can say.
The rules on times seem pointless. ODM or TNA have no interest in alienating potential voters by sending them bulk SMS messages at midnight. The insistence on customers opting is also misguided. That rule does not apply to commercial SMS messages so why should it apply to political messages?
Moreover customers are likely to only subscribe to messages from their own parties who will then be preaching to the converted. Pluralism will be limited unless politicians can contact supporters of their rivals. Also what is wrong with messages in local languages? The CCK needs to rethink its rules on bulk SMS messages.
Quote of the day"My horse, my kingdom for a horse." - English King Richard III was killed at the Battle of Bosworth Field on August 22, 1485

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