Raila's Boycott Of The Star Newspaper Could Restart Mass Firings- MCK

The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) condemned utterances by Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga calling for the boycott of several products and services, including Radio Africa Group's The Star Newspaper, terming serious consequences on its finances.

The former Prime Minister during his media address on Tuesday, March 21 singled out the daily newspaper as among corporates that "have become enablers and facilitators of this brutal regime" and have as such "become the enemies of the people", despite earlier commending the media for its coverage of the March 20 protests.

In a rejoinder, MCK CEO David Omwoyo stated that his remarks against the media house are part of Raila's efforts to manipulate public opinion and limit freedom of the press, which are both fundamental components of a healthy democracy.

"Such attacks undermine the freedom of the press and are attempts to undermine the role of the press in freely informing the electorates based on the editorial judgments.

"Freedom of the press is an essential right that allows journalists to report on events, issues and people without fear of censorship or repression. When political leaders ask people to boycott a national newspaper, they are essentially trying to undermine this freedom and to control the narrative in their favour," stated Omwoyo in part.

According to MCK, Raila's utterances as a leading political figure are likely to put journalists who work at The Star newspaper at risk as they may be attacked by supporters of the political coalition.

The media regulator also warned members of the public allied to Azimio against boycotting a national newspaper as it could damage the media house economically and be forced to initiate a fresh round of mass firings to keep afloat its finances.

"Further, and given the current economic hardships being faced by the media, boycotting a national newspaper could have serious economic consequences for the newspaper and its employees, potentially leading to job losses and financial instability.

"We encourage any political formation, leader or member of the public aggrieved by the media to report any complaints to the Media Complaints Commission which is legally mandated to mediate on the same," added MCK.

The Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) echoed the MCK's sentiments while reminding Raila that he is a leader who understands the importance of a free and independent press in promoting good governance and transparency in the public process, which he is fighting for.

"Mr Odinga as a leader must desist from making statements that will set up men and women who are working in very difficult environments to check the government and all leaders holding various positions in the country for the common good of the Kenyan society," stated KUJ.

On its part, the Kenya Editors’ Guild (KEG) also reprimanded Raila's remarks, stating that no further detail or evidence is provided of The Star’s supposed offence

Radio Africa was on Friday, March 17 forced to shut down Kiss TV, less than a year after its relaunch, owing to a lack of capacity in generating revenue.

A source who spoke to Viral Tea on condition of anonymity had attributed the latest decision to shut down the station to a retrenchment notice RAG had issued in December 2022, which informed its employees of an intention to reorganize its business operations.

Both KUJ and MCK's sentiments, coupled with a sustained onslaught on the media by the political class, have witnessed politicians airing their reservations about what they called unfair coverage during and after the election period.

This has led members of the public to turn against the media and boycott some media channels, a move which has hurt the economic power of media houses, resorting to mass firings.

Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot's remarks on Monday, March 6 expressing President Ruto's confidence in crushing the cartels in Kenya but fearing that he might struggle with two he termed as extremely powerful; the Kenyan banks and the Kenyan media, triggered a bitter row between him and the Kenyan media industry.

Kenyan media was plunged into a major crisis in the last quarter of 2022 with a series of mainstream media houses forced to send home their staff owing to among other factors, digital disruption.

Raila Odinga addressing the media on March 21, 2023. /TWITTER.FLORA LIMUKII