Kenyans are now calling for the deportation of Kimiko de Freytas-Tamura the incoming East Africa Bureau Chief. (Although it’s unclear whether she is in the country or not.)
This is due to what Kenyans viewed as a dismissive response when they expressed outrage over the use of graphic images in an article about the Riverside attack by the publication.
“As I’ve said, I don’t choose the photos. Please direct your anger to our photo department.Thank you,” read Kimiko’s tweet which was later pulled down.
Her response plus New York Time’s decision to keep the haunting photos up has elicited an avalanche of angry reactions of Twitter. The Time’s explanation as to why they chose to keep the gory images did nothing to placate furious Kenyans.
Kenyans also expressed concern over the problematic way international media houses cover tragedy in third-word countries as oppose to developed countries. While they try to protect the dignity of the victims in developed countries they have no qualms about splattering unsettling images in their publications when it comes to developing countries.
Here are some reactions from under the #DeportKimiko and the #SomeoneTellNYtimes hashtag:
Jim Chuchu: I am all in favour of this #DeportKimiko tag, not for the immediate catharsis it provides to an angry public, but because it highlights a greater issue. I have always said that the ecosystem of global media sending foreign press to "cover Africa" is a dangerous one.
Anyiko Owoko: NY Times trying to explain why they posted images of dead people. To show the real situation and not sensationalize. Oh really? #DeportKimiko Let’s not scare anyone any more than the situation stands. #PrayForKenya
Lucia Musau: You had a chance to show triumph photos, how our men in uniform responded swiftly but instead you chose to show photos of the dead. If this standard applies in the US with all the mass shootings there, you would be having photos of the dead on each page!
Kambua: #SomeoneTellNYtimes we do not need your sensationalized photos to "get the picture". We have family, friends, fellow Kenyans who have lived the nightmare of terrorism. Some are gone forever. You are a disgrace. Disrespectful.
Kristin Gilliss Moyer: The tragedy in #Nairobi today does not require @nytimes sensationalized photos of bloody bullet-filled bodies slumped over laptops to be understood as horrific. We don’t show dead bloody bodies of American school children. Esp not white ones, right? #SomeoneTellNYtimes
The Denizen Life: 1. The outrage in the #SomeoneTellNYtimes is justified. They never would have applied the same editorial standards to an attack that happened in NYC.consider to be a global example of fine journalism. Show pictures of human triumph!
Lizz Ntonjira-Mutuma: We need these International media to know that just because we are Africans- doesn't mean we are numb to pain and hurt! We are humans as well! Don't publish insensitive pictures of our brothers and sisters. You wouldn't do that in your countries. #deportkimiko
Ramapithecus: You still come off as quite arrogant. It's almost as if you're telling the whole world about what is happening in our country but you wouldn't give 2 shite about Kenyans. You don't publish such photos when there is a shooting in the U.S every 2 weeks.
Joy Wa Mutua: You messed with the wrong crowd. Just pack up honey. Bye #deportkimiko