The Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) CEO, Ezekiel Mutua has revealed why he was fired by Nation Media Group (NMG) Back in 2002.
According to Mutua, his letter to His Highness the Aga Khan and the NMG board over poor pay of journalists and corruption in the media rendered him jobless.
“I was sacked at NMG in 2002 (summary dismissal) after I differed with the NMG management. The bone of contention was a letter I had written to His Highness the Aga Khan and the NMG board over poor pay of journalists and corruption in the media. I was the Secretary General of the Kenya Union of Journalists but the management was treating me like a mere employee and threatening me with a sack. When I left Nation Centre in February 2002 many journalists celebrated. Few said a word in my defense. Many were used by media owners to tarnish my name. Ever since the media has tried to destroy me at every turn but God has protected me.”
The KFCB boss added that he was asked to withdraw the letter or be sacked and thats when he chose to be jobless than going against his values.
“I was asked to withdraw the letter or be sacked. I chose to be jobless than go against my values. When I left Nation Centre in February 2002 many journalists celebrated. Few said a word in my defense. Many were used by media owners to tarnish my name. Ever since the media has tried to destroy me at every turn but God has protected me,” Added Mutua.
“Some journalists are twisting my posts calling on the media to rethink their strategy in the wake of the TV switch off. One Elias Obanyi Makori has even gone to the extent of saying that I am celebrating the trials the industry is going through yet the media made me. What a pathetic, pedestrian argument. The media never made me. God did. Hard work did. Passion did.” Wrote Ezekiel Mutua
Lately, Mutua has been on the receiving end over his sentiments on media Shutdown in the country.
Unprofessional media
"To say that we have unprofessional media in Kenya is an understatement. We have a rogue media and self conceited, corrupt journalists who malign people and destroy families, careers and reputations. The day of reckoning will come for them too. And when they are sacked by the media owners they are now defending with their lives, they will realise that they don't own the media houses. They are simply employees.
They air obscene content and defy regulation. They malign people daily. They play God with their airtime and space."Reads Ezekiel Mutua's post
Corrupt Journalists
"I meet people everyday who are hurting because of the media. I get complaints about corrupt journalists who cannot cover an event unless they are bribed. I get complaints from parents whose kids are being corrupted by bad content and premature exposure to adult content. The media in Kenya is corrupt, unprofessional and negative. Development stories don't matter to them. Our rich cultural heritage is never given the prominence it deserves.
Sooner rather than later the media will know that press freedom is not absolute." Reads Ezekiel Mutua's post