In early July, after offloading a number of editors and writers, the Nation Media Group released a new leadership structure for the editorial department, which has eliminated majority of the positions of managing editor and section editor. The list of the new editors includes those who have benefitted from reshuffles, promotions and new appointments to fill up the gaps left by those who had exited.
The team, seen to be leaner and hopefully more agile, is expected to lead its so-called digital first journalism strategy, which the management hopes will help in firming up its grip on the media market in Kenya. It will, more importantly, reduce payroll costs for NMG which is struggling to make money in a changing media environment. Section editors and managing editors formed the bedrock of NMG editorial structure and took home good salaries.
“As you are aware, we have aggressively pursued a digital-first approach to content generation and publishing since the completion of our newsroom integration project last year,” NMG Editor-in-Chief, Mr Joe Ageyo, said in an inhouse memo announcing the new team. “While we have made great progress in this endeavour, there remains a considerable gap between our achievements so far, and our stated targets.”
Mr Ageyo said the changes were necessary to deepen NMG’s digital-first culture, ramp up the generation of premium content and improve the efficiency of print production. Starting Monday 8th July, 2024 the entire newsroom started delivering content exclusively for NMG digital platforms.
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Its main print production and broadcast (news bulletins) have separate workflows, feeding off the digital content. “Further, a standalone Video & Audio Hub has been created to enhance the production of digital-first and premium video content,” he said.
Here below is a list of the new team that is helming journalism various platforms at the Nation Media Group.
Harry Misiko, who was the Lead Editor, Digital, now holds the new position of Lead Editor, News Desk. In this role, Harry leads the generation of digital-first content and provide the crucial link between the content hubs and our digital platforms.
Alex Ndegwa was appointed to the newly-created position of Lead Editor, Africa (Daily). In this role, Alex is charged with deepening the content of Nation.Africa, as a flagship of NMG journalism in the new dispensation.
Mike Owuor who was previously the Lead Editor, Weekend, has become the Lead Editor, Africa (Weekend) charged with leading the curation of compelling content for Nation.Africa over the weekend. He will report into the Editor-in-Chief.
To plug the content leadership gaps over the weekend, Patrick Langat was moved to the new role of News Editor, Planning & Content Hubs in charge of content generation for and during weekends to ensure a seamless flow throughout the week.
Ben Kitili, formerly News Editor (counties), moved to the new position of Editor, Video & Audio This new Hub is charged with generating digital-first video and audio content for NTVKenya.co.ke and other digital platforms round the clock, as well as feeding NTV news bulletins and current affairs programming.
Jackson Mutinda, who was Lead Editor, The East African, has been redesignated to the new role of Lead Editor, Africa & Diaspora. This role is aimed at expanding NMG coverage of Africa and Diaspora content across our platforms, in line with our vision of being the Media of Africa for Africa. Further, Mutinda leads content generation for theeastafrican.co.ke as a primary responsibility.
Aggrey Mutambo was redesignated to the role of News Editor, Africa & Diaspora to boost the generation of Africa & Diaspora content for theeastafricanco.ke and other websites, while Justus Wanga was moved to the role of Editor, Politics reporting into the ME, Planning & Content Hubs
Roseline Obala was transferred to the position of Editor, Counties & Newsroom Administration. This role will in addition to coordinating regional coverage, provide administrative support to news teams in Nairobi and around the country.
Kenfrey Kiberenge was appointed to the new role of Newsletter Editor responsible for the creation, curation, and management of all newsletters.
Reina Kimeu now has the expanded role of Editor, Native & User Generated. In addition to her role of creating native content, she also facilitates NMG’s engagement with digital content creators.
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NMG also created the position of Homepage Editors for its respective websites: businessdailyafrica.com & theeastafrican.co.ke (Hellen Githaiga), NTVKenya – Nick Mwirigi, nation.Africa (Weekend Edition) – Grace Kerongo, as well as Lynette Mukami who is Editor, Social, Search & Analytics and doubles as the Homepage Editor, Nation.Africa (Daily).
The Editor, Mtaa Wangu (a local news venture) Reitz Mureithi, will now report to the ME, Audience & Engagement.
Print Production
Mr Ageyo said NMG is taking steps to make its print production leaner and more efficient. This involves, among other measures, designating a smaller team to finalise the various products for the market. “This team will not be involved in direct content generation but will curate and repurpose digital content from our websites for print audiences,” he said.
Under the new arrangement, chief sub-editors are leading the production of their respective publications, under the supervision of a common lead editor, which cuts down on the number of section heads or managing editors. A team of sub-editors and graphic designers is assigned each day to design and lay the pages.
John Kiplagat, who moved from being the Lead Editor, Daily Nation, to the new role of Lead Editor Print oversees the overall production of all print titles. Meanwhile, Caroline Njung’ e who was Chief Production Editor, now oversees the operation of the subbing pool in serving both the digital and print production functions.
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