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NTV Announces New Changes in Newsroom Shake-up

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The changes come as the TV station struggles to keep up with its big rivals Citizen TV and KTN. [ Photo / Voanews.com ]
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Nation Media Group has announced new changes in the NTV editorial management, hoping to enhance its content as competition heightens in the television industry.

The changes involve a reshuffle and redeployment of talent and assigning of new roles which, it says, is geared at improving newsroom chemistry.

“In order to achieve the highest possible standards of quality and professionalism, plan our content better, improve the way we work and allow people to work to their strengths, a new structure has been developed and will take effect tomorrow 20th January 2020,” according to a circular seen by Business Today.

Who’s in, Who’s out?

 “Some of the changes include assigning new responsibilities to people to make it easier to work around content desks.”

These are the first major changes since 2018 when it put together a new team of presenters after exits that depleted it of popular presenters, including then NTV general manager Linus Kaikai.

Other popular presenters who left NTV during the period include Larry Madowo, now at BBC as well as Pamela Asigi, Nimrod Taabu and Jamila Mohammed, who joined Royal Media Services, among others.

 The changes come as the TV station struggles to keep up with its big rivals Citizen TV and KTN. Many ranking reports place NTV at number 4 in both audience and ad spend after Citizen TV, KTN and Inooro TV.

Changes at a glance

1. Mark MasaiEditor, Presentation:  Responsible for NMG TV News brand and how it’s reflected on-air and digital through its presenters, reporters, and contributors. The Editor, Presentation is also responsible for identifying and meeting the training needs of the department to ensure we communicate with flair, confidence and at all times observe our house style and dress code.

News presenters Mark Masai and Smriti Vidyarthi (above) have been new roles at NTV. [ Photo / scoopnest.com ]

2. Edmond NyabolaEditor, Planning & Research: Responsible for research, developing and implementing plans to gather information/content, coordinate field reporters and mobilise teams to produce stories within the designated regions.

3. Smriti VidyarthiEditor, Current Affairs Programmes: Responsible for all current affairs programmes produced by the department and ensure that the shows have the sharpness, creativity and ambition to make an impact in the market.

4. Shabaan Ulaya – Editor, Swahili: Has overall daily editorial and managerial responsibility for Kiswahili content on all platforms including digital. The Editor Swahili is also responsible for ensuring QTV (when launched) is uniquely differentiated from NTV and that both platforms support and complement the editorial output of one another.

 “Some of the changes include assigning new responsibilities to people to make it easier to work around content desks.”

5. Daniel Mule – Regional Editor: Is responsible for all reporters in the counties. Working closely with Editor, Planning and Research, the Regional Editor will coordinate daily coverage by reporters and will guide the planning and submission of field dockets and reporter deployments.

 6. Julians Amboko – Business Editor: Responsible for the Business Desk team and their output and has overall daily editorial responsibility for business content on all platforms.

7. Watson KarumaNews Editor: Responsible for the News Desk, newsroom deployments and for guiding the news day and directing news operations in the field.

8. Dennis Okari – Special Projects Editor: Responsible for all investigative content across all platforms including digital. The Editor will lead investigations and mentor and support reporters to conceive of, develop and execute high-impact stories within the Desk’s mission.

Dennis Okari will be responsible for all investigative content across all platforms including digital. [ Photo / Kenyainsights ]

 9. Brenda Mulinya – Features Editor: Working closely with the Editor, Planning & Research, the Features Editor is responsible for all the feature stories and news documentaries that run on all platforms. The Features Editor is involved in the commissioning, development, research, production and broadcast/publication of feature stories.

10. Dann Mwangi – Innovation & Training Editor: Responsible for the treatment of stories across all platforms ensuring our bulletins offer a range of innovative stories and deliver outstanding content. The Editor will lead the search for and execution of new formats and approaches to storytelling and news production to constantly surprise and engage the audience. The innovation Editor is also responsible for identifying staff training needs and helping to organise training workshops to improve skills in the Department and ensure creativity is at the heart of everything we do.

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11. Zeynab Wandati – Science & Technology Editor: Responsible for the setting up and smooth running of a new Science and Technology Desk. The editor will lead the team on the desk and have overall daily editorial responsibility for science and technology content on all platforms.

 12. Jane Ngoiri – Deputy Editor, Presentation:  Will assist and work hand in hand with Editor, Presentation to meet the brief and responsibilities of the Presentation Desk. In addition, the Deputy Editor will work closely with the Editor, Planning & Research to ensure Kiswahili output is well catered for.

Jane Ngoiri to help in meeting the brief and responsibilities of the Presentation Desk. [ Photo / Radio Jambo ]

13. Warothe Kiiru – Sports Editor: Responsible for the Sports Desk team and their output and has overall daily editorial responsibility for sports content on all platforms.

 14. Dickens Ooko – Digital Editor: Responsible for implementation of the digital-first approach and ensure whatever content is proposed and ultimately created, fits the multi-platform editorial missions of the brand and is of the highest quality. The Editor will lead the team to ensure the content is aptly framed and results in an engaging experience for the audience.

15. Robert Gichira – Senior Special Projects Producer: Working closely with the Editor, Planning & Research, will initiate and research story ideas and proposals for features or documentary and special projects. The Special Producer will also produce content in the field or studio, including filming or directing camera and technical crews, conducting interviews and directing reporters working on specially shot footage.

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BT Reporter -

editor [at] businesstoday.co.ke

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