Veteran journalist and editor Joe Ageyo has been promoted by Nation Media Group (NMG) to the key role of Editor-in-chief. Ageyo was previously the Group Editorial Director at NMG.

As Editor-in-chief, Ageyo will be tasked with delivering on the implementation of NMG’s  plans to have an integrated newsroom. The company is counting on the new strategy as shifting media consumption trends, alongside macroeconomic factors, hurt revenues of legacy media companies.

The integrated newsroom involves centralising production of content for its print, digital and broadcast brands. The leaner model is also expected to result in staff cuts.

NMG recorded a net profit of just Ksh2.9 million for the half-year period ended 30th June 2023, a major decline from Ksh247.8 million in the half-year of 2022. NMG attributed the decline in profitability to the rise in the cost of imported raw materials, especially newsprint which is it the main input in newspaper production, and the depreciation of the Kenya shilling against the US dollar.

Ageyo joined NMG in April 2022, from Royal Media Services (RMS). He joined the company as Editorial Director – Broadcasting Services, and was in November last year promoted to Group Editorial Director.

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“As Editor-in-chief, Ageyo’s immediate priority will be the successful operationalization of the integrated newsroom. He will also be charged with overall responsibilities for the group’s editorial operations across all platforms, and ensuring the group’s editorial policy is upheld,” NMG noted in a statement following Ageyo’s promotion.

He will report to the group CEO Stephen Gitagama.

After graduating with a Bachelors in Agribusiness Management from Egerton University, Ageyo’s passion for journalism took over. He has a Post-Graduate diploma in journalism from the University of Nairobi, and a Masters in Environmental Governance from the University of Manchester.

He is also currently pursuing a PhD in Media Studies from Daystar University.

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