Three Nairobi journalists have today made a public apology following their arrest yesterday over a deal that was meant to damage the image of Kakamega senator; Cleophas Malala.
The journalists were allegedly paid by a government official to photoshop nude photos to implicate Malala.
David Ndolo, Stafford Ondego and Alex Njue spent their night at the KICC police station and will today be arraigned in court.
Malala, is on record saying that they had all the evidence before the police went ahead to arrest the involved. He also disclosed how he got the information about this deal.
PHOTO/COURTESY Kakamega Senator; Cleophas Malala
“When the photo went viral, the official told the journalists to Photoshop the image and replace his face with mine,”
“I was tipped about what happened and I got police to arrest the journalists,” Malala said.
The recent scandal involving the top city journalist clearly serves a lesson to others. Despite the fact that the media industry is a space where the dynamics are constantly changing, some basic ethics are important to consider before signing up for any job.
At all times, journalist are advised to make accurate reporting and avoid the following,
-solicit or accept gifts, favours or compensation from those who might seek to influence coverage;
-As a general rule, the media shall apply caution in the use of pictures and names and shall avoid publication when there is a possibility of harming the persons concerned.
-Manipulation of pictures in a manner that distorts reality and accuracy of news shall be avoided.
These are just among the other regulations set..the three fell short at this point not passing judgment but clearly rules were broken and as media personalities this keeps us alert and takes us back to the focus of real journalism.