The Media Council of Kenya has given an ultimatum to the American Newyork Times Newspaper of 24hours in regards to the publication of the Dusit hotel attack.
In a statement by the council stated that the international media house should take down the horrific pictures of Dusit attack on their website that showed dead bodies during the Tuesday terror attack.
Apart of the statement said, “The MCK demands that your publication pulls down the insensitive pictures within 24 hrs and make an unconditional apology on the matter.
“We believe this will be a step-in regaining confidence in regards to the professionalism of your articles,” read part of the statement.”
@mediacouncilk today officially wrote a protest note to @nytimes over it’s coverage of #riversideattack pic.twitter.com/w27B20f73W
— Media Council Kenya (@MediaCouncilK) January 17, 2019
The statement issued by Chief Executive Officer and Secretary David Omwoyo further explained that in the failure of the removal of the pictures, MCK would take the necessary action.
“In the event the pictures are not pulled down within 24hrs as requested, the MCK will initiate relevant action against your publication not limited to revocation or suspension of accreditation of journalist working with the New York Times in Kenya,” stated Omwoyo.
The media council further stated that the media firm had 48hrs to inform them of their action and not later than January 21.
The MCK move comes after the uproar made by Kenyans on social media venting over the article the Newyork times had written about the Dusit attack.
Kenyans took to twitter to request incoming East Africa Bureau Kimiko de Freytas-Tamura for the removal of the photos citing that it was unprofessional of the media to show insensitive images.
Tamura however responded to the calls and pointed out that she was not the one who chose the photos as her work was to report and write and that the request should be directed to the photo desk or the media house.
The rude response by the journalist sparked calls for her deportation.