This archive report was first published on 15 August 2019.
August 15, 2019
Standard Group Editor-in-Chief Ochieng Rapuro has issued a new edict aimed at instilling ethical practices at the Mombasa Road-based media house.
According to an internal memo to staff, Rapuro has banned journalists from accepting gifts from news sources, saying it has become a negative source of exposure that affects journalism at the media house.
“The Standard Group has embarked on a transformative journey to reclaim our position in the market as an independent and bold media house,” he said.
“Well, that journey is starting now with a thorough housecleaning to deal with the hygiene issues that are currently affecting the independence and rigour of our journalism,” he added.
Under the new rules, any company, agency, organisation or individual inviting a Standard journalist must send the invitation to the news editor, section editor or managing editor before they can attend their function or event.
Such an invite must not contain the name of an individual, and it shall be the prerogative of the editor to invite the relevant journalist for purposes of honouring the invitation.
Editors must forward all requests for foreign travel to the Editor in Chief for approval, stating the expected journalistic value and deliverables from the journalist thus nominated for travel.
Rapuro warned that swift and deliberate action will be taken against any journalist found in violation of the new structure.
