The war for against international publication New York Times for crossing lines with their Dusit D2 attack has heightened with demands that they pull down their pictures.
In a strongly worded letter on Thursday, the Media Council of Kenya called out the American media house over what it termed as a disrespectful, appalling and reckless publication.
MCK has also issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the New York Times to pull down the image and issue an unreserved apology, further warning that ‘relevant action’ will be taken in the event they fail to do so.
Prior many Kenyan journalists, celebrities and Kenyans had initiated a powerful campaign against the publication.
Don’t publish images here that you wouldn’t on your home turf. Apologize, delete. Don’t repeat. Be better. Know better. Learn. #DeportKimiko may or may not be the answer, but there’s a lesson in learning from the past to be had here. I hope it’s a wake up call. #RiversideAttack
— Janet Mbugua Ndichu (@OfficialJMbugua) January 16, 2019
Through a statement regarding what Foreign Correspondents Association termed Foreign d threats toward their member, FCAEA has backed reporter Kimiko Tamura’s explanation over the use of the photograph citing that she did not have authoritative control of the photos used in the story.
“The FCAEA condemns the extremely aggressive and personal attacks through social media against Kimiko de Freitas Tamura of the New York Times for photographs selected not by her, but by her editors in New York, and used alongside her reporting,” stated a circular sent to media houses.
A controversial blogger Robert Alai also backed FCAEA on the NYT issue calling those against it incompetent.
I support FCAEA on this NYT issue. We have state censors target an innocent journalist for reasons which are best known to few incompetent individuals. @kimidefreytas should proudly do her work. #RiversideAttack pic.twitter.com/CiwkCRoavq
— Robert (@RobertAlai) January 16, 2019
Famous respected journalist Janet Mbugua however insisted there is no excuse for NYT article photos used.
…Make excuses for such callousness and call it ‘brave journalism’, therein lies the issue. So, be progressive, don’t adopt double standards. Don’t ask if it’s safe to travel to Kenya and not ask the same regarding the U.K, France, Belgium, THE US!!
— Janet Mbugua Ndichu (@OfficialJMbugua) January 16, 2019