NTV Ordered To Make Changes To Documentary Deemed Misleading
The MCC found the documentary’s tone, sensational title, and repeated unsupported comparisons to extremist groups to be misleading and unfair.
Marvin Chege 
The Media Complaints Commission (MCC) has ruled that Nation Media Group (NMG) violated journalism ethics in an NTV documentary that falsely connected the mainstream Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church to religious extremism.
This followed a complaint by Nehemiah Stone Bic Misiani, a member of the SDA Church and founder of Stone Bic Schools, over the documentary Holy Betrayal: Full SDA Cult Exposé, which aired on April 7, 2024.
Misiani argued the programme inaccurately associated the SDA Church with cults, religious extremism, and the Shakahola Massacre, breaching the code’s requirements on fairness and accuracy.
The MCC found the documentary’s tone, sensational title, and repeated unsupported comparisons to extremist groups to be misleading and unfair.
Members of the Media Complaints Commission (MCC) during a session on June 19, 2025. /X
As a result, NMG has been ordered to add a visible disclaimer within 14 days to all online versions of the documentary, clarifying that there is no proven connection between the SDA Church and any extremist groups, including those involved in the Shakahola incident.
However, the Commission declined Misiani’s request to take down the documentary entirely and dismissed his claim that the broadcast damaged his schools, which were never mentioned. It also found no breach related to reporting on religious conflict, as no such conflict was evident.
"The ruling highlights the media’s responsibility to report on public interest issues with precision and fairness. The MCC stressed that investigative journalism must not sacrifice accuracy for impact," stated the media watchdog on Thursday, June 19.
The contentious documentary claimed that a splinter group of the SDA Church in Nyanza rejected formal education, avoided hospitals, and that some professionals were abandoning well-paying jobs due to radicalisation.
In response, the SDA Church leadership publicly condemned the broadcast in April last year, criticising the media outlet for airing content they described as offensive, inaccurate, and made with ill intent.
The church maintained in its statement that its worship practices are strictly based on biblical teachings and expressed deep regret over being linked to extremist ideologies.
"We, the SDA church, take great exception to the assertions of connections between Shakahola and the story that largely highlighted the troubles of one family and some people who do not qualify to be called Adventists," the church leadership stated.
"The Seventh-day Adventist Church, therefore, cannot be dragged into activities of any splinter groups or offshoots which do not adhere to the teachings and practices of the church."
Photo of the inside of a church. /ADOBE STOCK
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