Inooro TV Reporter Victor Kinuthia Speaks Up on being bashed after covering arrest of Ndindi Nyoro

Citizen TV Reporter breaks silence after online bashing

Mumbi Mutuko

September 10, 2019 9:08 AM

Bashed for 'poor command of English'

Royal Media Services journalist Victor Kinuthia

Royal Media Services journalist Victor Kinuthia has addressed trolls on social media and expressed optimism after being bashed on Monday night.

The reporter attached to Inooro TV was bullied on social media after covering the arrest of Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro.

In a post on his Facebook account, Kinuthia said that although he had been bullied online, his fellow colleagues and Kenyans had reached out and he felt encouraged.

"I almost gave up when I found myself trending all over after yesterday's 9 pm news. But after receiving calls and texts from my bosses, colleagues, friends and fans I must say am encouraged," Kinuthia stated.

Royal Media Services journalist Victor Kinuthia Pulse Live Kenya

Live reporting

Online trolls had bashed the young reporter claiming that his command of the Queen's language was poor during the live reporting.

However, professions in the business encouraged the young reporter and reminded Kenyans that the job was not easy especially under the circumstances, Kinuthia was in.

Kinuthia was covering the protest that broke out in Murang'a on Monday night after MP Nyoro was arrested.

News anchors from Royal Media Services shielded Victor from the condemnation that is known to befall anyone who becomes a trending topic on social media.

Journalists defend Kinuthia

Yvonne Okwara explained that “it was his first time. He will get better with time. We all start somewhere. We will train him.”

Citizen TV journalist Yvonne Okwara Pulse Live Kenya

“It happens to the best of us. This job isn’t easy but the beauty about this experience is Victor will learn and get better with time. Mistakes are a human condition,” posted Victoria Rubadiri.

Hussein Mohamed reminded the trolls that while in many professions, mistakes can be hidden, in journalism, they are announced and can be seen.

“Give Victor Kinuthia a break. It was his first live link in a chaotic scene. He’ll learn like many of us. Let’s revisit this when he makes it in a few years, In Sha Allah,” he said.

Mumbi Mutuko