Nation Media Group, one of Kenya's largest media houses, announced it will shut down some of its radio stations as part of a strategic move to become a 21st-century digital broadcaster.
The affected departments include Nation FM, Q FM, and Rwanda's K FM. These radio stations will be completely shut down, while QTV will merge with its mother broadcaster, NTV.
A press statement from Nation Media Group acknowledged the difficulty the decision would pose for affected employees and their families, stating, "We do recognize that today’s announcement will be difficult for the affected employees and their families. The exercise will be carried out with respect to our employees and within the Kenyan laws."
Context and Response ¶
The move comes as the media industry in Kenya faces challenges following the country's transition to a digital platform in 2015. This shift has resulted in a loss of advertising revenue for media houses, leading to downsizing and retrenchment of employees across various media stations, with Nation Media Group and the Standard Group being among the most affected.
The closure of the radio stations is set to take effect from June 30th at midnight.
