Why Northern Kenya media practitioners withdrew from Gachagua Interview

Some hours before Gachagua interview with the Somali community hit a rock as media practitioners from the north withdrew from the interview vowing never to participate in the planned interview.

Gacgagua planned interview

Gachagua had planned an interview with the Somali community in Kenya and invited the media from the community to cover the interview as he address issues facing the Somali community in Kenya.

Hours to the time of the planned interview, Gachagua received a blow when the media practitioners form the North withdrew from the interview coverage.

Reasons for withdrawing from the anticipated interview with Gachagua

In a statement released by the Northern Kenya Media practitioner which was seen by Cliff Media, the media practitioners informed their audience that they had terminated the roundtable interview with Gachagua after deliberations and consultations.

1. Interview does not align with core principles of responsible journalism

The Interview was deemed to not align with the core principles of of responsible journalism, national unity and constructive public disclosure. “..After careful consideration and internal deliberations…we have concluded that proceeding with the interview will not align with our core principles..” read part of the statement by the Northern media practitioners.

2. Gachagua is divisive and ethnic rather than national

The media practitioners noted that following closely on Gachagua’s rhetoric had realised that Gahagua is divisive and mostly emphasises on ethnism rather tahn uniting all Kenyans.

“We have been closely following the recent public statements and rethoric, which have been characterized as divisive, often emphasizing on ethnic and regional divisions at a time when Kenya needs voices that unite rather than polarize…”

3. Character assassination and unsubstantiated allegations against individuals.

The media practitioners were concerned that the roundtable interview will turn into character assassination of individuals and unsubstantiated allegations against individuals without adequate evidence or willingness to engage in balanced fact-based dialogue.

4. Media cannot provide a platform for an individual with such characters

The media practitioners noted that as media practitioners, they were not willing to provide a platform for Gachagua to use to spread his divisive and ethnic propaganda to their audience. They said they will not provide a platform for amplification of harmful narratives.

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