The Media Council Of Kenya has today issued an ultimatum to New York Times for them to pull down images from their Dusit attack publication.
The Media Council of Kenya (NICK) is the principal body established under the Media Council Act No.46 of 2013 mandated to develop and regulate the media industry in Kenya in order to promote media freedom, professionalism and Independence.
As part of its mandate the MCK sets Media Standards, ensures compliance with set media standards and accredits Journalists practicing in Kenva.
MCK says that it is unfortunate that the New York publication, without due respect to the victims, families of the victims and Kenyans in general chose to publish images that show dead victims of the terror attack.
The Media Council expressed disappointment over how the publication was handled so recklessly without due regard to professionalism in reporting.
Something that is unexpected having that the New York times have covered numerous such attacks in Europe, Asia and the US.
“The MCK vehemently disagrees with your publications position that the objectivity of showing the gory images of dead bodies from the attack is meant to give readers a clear picrurc of the horror of such attacks, To the contrary. the images amount to glorifying and parading the “successs” of the terror acts. Indeed, pictures of destroyed buildings, burning cars, shattered glass, crying and Injured survivors have been used in your other publications of such attacks to pass the same message.” reads statement in part
@mediacouncilk today officially wrote a protest note to @nytimes over it's coverage of #riversideattack pic.twitter.com/w27B20f73W
— Media Council of Kenya (@MediaCouncilK) January 17, 2019
MCK also added that the publication was in bad taste, disrespectful to the victims and families of the affected victims in addition to being unprofessional.
The council also noted that despite the complaints and outrage, the New York Times still run their story with the photos.
MCK also demanded that New York Times should pull down the insensitive pictures within 24hrs and makes an unconditional apologv on the matter.
In the event the pictures are not pulled down within 24hrs as requested, the MCK warned that they will initiate relevant action.