The Nation Media Group (NMG) has revealed that it endured intimidation and cyberbullying in recent weeks while running an extensive exposé detailing some of the failings of the government.
In a statement released on Saturday, the media house located along Kimathi Street revealed that one of its operation centres was inspected by individuals who claimed that they were from the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS).
According to the media house, the inspectors who made an impromptu visit were interested in the ink used on their print products.
Further, the media house questioned the timing of the inspection given that there was also a fake letter purportedly written by KEBS, warning Kenyans over Nation newspapers.
"On Tuesday this week, a fake letter was posted on X claiming that the ink used to publish Nation newspapers could have adverse health effects on our readers. The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) disowned the statement on its official X account, but not before it had been shared many times by online social media users.
"Curiously, some individuals claiming to be KEBS officials visited the Nation printing press along Mombasa Road, ostensibly to inspect the quality of our ink,” read the statement in part.
On the other hand, NMG noted that the media house had been on the receiving end of online propaganda with fake news circulated regarding operations of the media house.
For instance, it cited a fake letter that announced redundancies and the #RIPNationMedia which was used to cyberbully the media house on X (formerly Twitter).
According to NMG, the timing of the incidents was questionable given that it had been running a series of exposes that detailed the sufferings of Kenyans seeking government services including healthcare.
The media house noted that the coverage was not ill-intended adding that the journalists who undertook the coverage adhered to all journalistic standards.
"As a responsible media house, NMG sought responses from government officials in charge of the government agencies that were the subject of focus in the editorial articles, and their rejoinders were duly included in the published stories.
"NMG as a firm believer in the rule of law, has reported these incidents to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), in addition to filing complaints with X. It is our hope that DCI will investigate and bring to justice the purveyors of these false and malicious narratives," read the statements in part.
