The Nation Media Group (NMG) has appointed veteran journalist Peter Mwaura as its first-ever public editor to handle readers’ complaints on questions of accuracy, fairness, balance and ethical issues in news gathering and presentation.
Mr Mwaura will evaluate readers’ criticisms on the way the Nation publications cover and report news and make recommendations to the Group’s editors and reporters based on his assessment of the complaints. Some readers’ comments will be published in a regular column.
“It will be his task to ensure the NMG is transparent, accessible and accountable to its readers and that it lives up to its editorial guidelines and Kenya’s code of conduct for the practice of journalism,” said NMG chief executive Linus Gitahi on Monday while announcing the appointment.
“He will also inform the public on the journalism process, as well as the challenges and responsibilities of the media in a democratic society.”
Mr Mwaura worked as an assistant editor and editor-in-chief of the Nation in the early 1970s and 1980s, and has been a regular Nation columnist since 2003. He served for six years as a commissioner of the Complaints Commission of the Media Council of Kenya from 2008 to 2014. His appointment is in line with the NMG’s commitment to self-regulation and willingness to open up to criticism by its readers.
He will report to the NMG Editorial Board Committee, which has oversight responsibility on editorial matters on behalf of the company’s board. “My task will be to increase the awareness of editors and reporters of readers’ concerns and to hold them accountable,” said Mr Mwaura of his new job, adding: “I will be independent of the Nation editors and reporters.”
Leading media organisations worldwide have the office of a public editor, including newspapers such as the New York Times, The Guardian (UK), The Globe and Mail (Canada), Folha de Sao Paulo (Brazil), The Hindu (India), and Avusi Media Group (South Africa). There are only about 10 public editors in Africa.
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