Media Council of Kenya issues 24 hour warning to New York Times to remove photos of dead bodies

Media Council of Kenya issues 24-hour warning to New York Times

Mark Mwithaga

January 17, 2019 4:01 PM

Media councils issues ultimatum

Media Council of Kenya Chief Executive Officer and Secretary David Omwoyo Omwoyo

The Media Council of Kenya on Thursday gave American media house New York Times a 24-hour ultimatum in regards to the publication of the Dusit hotel attack.

The media body through the statement issued, stated that the international media company has a day to take down the gory image on their website that showed dead bodies during the Tuesday terror attack.

Media Council warning to New York Times Pulse Live Kenya

Media Council of Kenya statement over New York Times publication Pulse Live Kenya

“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.

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.

MCK noted that the media firm had 48hrs to inform them of their action and not later than January 21.

Deportation of journalist

The move by the body responsible for governing the media, comes after the uproar made by Kenyans over the article.

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.

Kimiko de Freytas-Tamura Pulse Live Kenya

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.

Mark Mwithaga