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The Standard: Outlandish Every Day! PDF Print E-mail
Written by Ombuya E. Okong'o   
Thursday, 19 April 2007

Every time a Kenyan journalist spends a stint in police detention, the whole of Nairobi goes crazy.

Fellow newsmen and women rush to Ground Zero to show solidarity. Human rights organizations and other groups come out of the woodwork, for a chance to exhibit what they claim is their undaunted support and commitment to the cause of democracy. Politicians, some with questionable human rights records, abandon their activities and run to the police station for the photo opportunity. The more dramatic they act, the higher the likelihood of their pictures ending up on the front page. They scream at and scold police officers, who in most cases are only following orders. They kick the gates open in clear violation of the protocol they demand the government use in summoning the press. They try any and everything that would earn them notoriety in the press - anything.

In the midst of the madness, Kenyans forget the values of fairness and accuracy that the news media always claim to be upholding. Before you slap a label of "government apologist" on me, let me make one thing clear: I'm a journalist. I staunchly support all freedoms, not just that of the media.

What I despise greatly is irresponsible use of that liberty. I confess deep repugnance for journalists who act negligently under the banner of freedom of the press. They have turned the principle into a buzz phrase, only invoked when journalists have blundered. Take, for instance, the Monday article about the Arturs, which led to the subpoenas and eventual detention of editors and bosses of The Standard. Never in my career have I seen a story that better fits to be branded the epitome of reckless journalism.

The Standard took a "confession" of some deranged, attention-craving couple of thugs and "authoritatively revealed" it without investigating. What the newspaper tells us is that if someone confesses, it must be true. In the "Standard Team's" own words: "Although Margaryan's claims are outrageous, The Standard has decided to publish them because the whole story of the Arturs is confounding."

Confounding? Yes.

But should a story's ability to shock be the gauge journalists use to evaluate its credibility? If a man walks into my newsroom and says he knows a government minister involved in funding, arming, and training the militias unleashing terror in Mt. Elgon, but declines to give a name. Should I run with the story without checking it out? The Standard tells me I should.

No wonder politicians can go around claiming to be targets of assassination plots and end up on the front page without anyone challenging them to provide evidence. Or call the Arturs mercenaries hired by the government without the media asking where they got the dossier. Journalists are supposed to be a skeptical bunch that does not take anything at face value. They should - with zeal - investigate claims by a source and if they can't verify them kill the story.

The press should be held to the same high standards it expects of the government. It should not demand integrity, while engaging in corruption and propaganda. How can we, the government watchdog, rush to publish information we can't prove, but require that the same government follow the law when conducting its business? How can we take bribes, but assail the police when they do?

Kenyans are too blind to see that The Standard and some politicians are taking them for a joyride. I'm almost certain that in the days following the confrontation with the government, the paper sold out. Our country's citizens also have a moral obligation here. They are being drawn into a fight they don't need to be in. Lest we think that the media are righteous and don't need scrutiny. Citizens can and should ask the press questions.

For example, last year when the Arturs were deported from Kenya, the media reported that the two had forged travel documents and that they were not who they claimed to be. The names Sarkissyan Arman and Karkissyan Artak appeared on some of their passports. If The Standard now believes them, why isn't the paper asking and revealing what their real identities are?

By allowing ourselves to be duped into supporting the media's propaganda in the name of guarding freedom and democracy, we are doing our country an injustice that may over time become irreversible. If you can control information, you can manipulate people's minds. Currently, The Standard has that power. Its editors and publishers have an advantage over their opponents. They can make lopsided claims in the front pages, knowing those they accuse have no outlet to rebut them.

No one is disputing that the Arturs' scandal is worth probing. It is even possible that some government officials were involved in criminal activities with the duo. But we shouldn't solely rely on "confessions" of suspects whose motive is probably to sell the book they are allegedly writing. The leaders we elect are human beings like us. Any rumors going around, whether they turn out to be false, can damage a person's reputation. Let's refrain from the lazy way of opposing everything. It is possible to find good in people you don't agree with.

It is incumbent upon us to accord those who don't share our views the same respect we would expect if we were in their positions, for - as we have seen in the past - things change.


Ombuya E. Okong'o
About the author:
Okong'o a regular contributor to Kenya Imagine is an award-winning journalist, writer and humorist. An associate editor and director of communications at New America Media, Okong'o also contributes to Frontline/World. You can read more about him on his blog Okong'o's Policy .





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written by Tim Norwood , April 19, 2007
Your argument is flawed in its entirety. Say, is there any evidence at all that Al-Qaeda was involved in the Sept 11 attacks, or the ones on Nairobi?

No, none at all, unless of course you are counting the deranged confessions of a bunch of lunatics. Are these confessions newsworthy?

The Standard only reported what the Margayans had themselves said. Actually, this was not even big news, the Nation had run with a similar story only the same week. It was Winnie Mwai who thrust these men into our faces after we had long forgotten them, and it was Railla who declared that the men were back in the country.

Now as a journalist, I am sure you will agree with me that this is entirely news-worthy. When a man who has been deported from your country, who has threatened your commissioner of police, and internal security minister, to whom eternal love has been declared by your President's daughter comes on the phone and offers you confessions , That is Front Page News.'

Read Amir Ibrahim's article, it is much more realistic. Too often Kenyans think with their hearts instead of their minds.
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a republic,if you can keep it.
written by emmo opoti , April 19, 2007
Good article, for polemic that is. I think you will find that the State has recourse to justice through the courts, and also as has been pointed out a million times, The Standard reported the News. Which was simply that one Armenian goon, also called James or Artur had confessed to being invited to hasten the death of some opposition politician. Now considering that the said Artur who is the boyfriend of one Winnie, who has for a fact sat down with Raila, and Kalonzo, who is alleged to have been at State House Nairobi(previously) and Nakuru (recently), who was or still is a Deputy Police Commissioner, a report on who has been shelved by the powers that be, who drew a gun on Kenyan security personnel , who was deported, who had fake immigration documents-in other words a pretty significant man- was already in the news, why would the Standard ignore his 'confessions', especially when Raila has been making noise about the very same subject for two years!!

Does anyone have any proof that Biwott was at all involved in Ouko's murder? Did you consider the Nation a tabloid for publishing that? What was the excuse the last time the Standard was subjected to the State's jackboot? Do you really believe these are sufficient grounds on which to hold up a media house?
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Oranges vs. Apples
written by That Kenyan Loser , April 19, 2007
Say, is there any evidence at all that Al-Qaeda was involved in the Sept 11 attacks, or the ones on Nairobi?

No, none at all, unless of course you are counting the deranged confessions of a bunch of lunatics.

al Qaeda took responsibility for crimes that happened. The Arturs are claiming to have been part of a plot that no evidence exists. If the Standard really cared about the safety of Kenyans it should have backed the story with the info it admits to have withheld.

You can't just publish a story just because someone made a claim. And by phone? Gimme a break. How do they even know the said Arturs were on the other end.

Raila says they are in the country so we run the printers? What a bunch of bull. This is sheer outlandish sensationalism.

Don't you think that I'm implying that The Nation is innocent. It's not the one that's moaning about a vendetta so let's keep it out of this until its time comes.
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written by emmo opoti , April 19, 2007
Now you are vacillating dangerously. If it is permissible to accept, as the world does consistently, the admissions from previously unknown websites -or from attention seeking terrorists, then why not from someone who has made several Press Conferences in the country and whose reality is confirmed by the counter-claims from the likes of Raila.

Was the Standard not giving the other side of the story, i.e the Armenian side?

Are you sure there'd be any stories in the news if the press had to adhere to your standards?
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Nation, MIA
written by sixpercentperannum , April 19, 2007
Seen in the context of
a) The raid on the Standard's offices.
b) the David Makali saga
c) Minister Munya's statement that the GoK would not release the Kiruki report to protect 'national security'.
d) The vehemence with which the state has reacted to everything surrounding the Artur's including the denial of the constitutional right to legal representation at questioning by police.

the intelligent can deduce that there is something very wrong going on here. While the word mercenary is definitely misleading, it is an undoubtable fact that these men are very dangerous.
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Good and bad journalism
written by Kamale , April 19, 2007
Here is a good example of professional journalism:

_______________________________________

Queries over Sh10bn project

Story by BERNARD NAMUNANE
Publication Date: 4/18/2007
MPs yesterday raised questions regarding a multi-billion airport expansion project.

Initially, Mbita MP Otieno Kajwang’ (Narc) said the World Bank had given a grant of $10 million (Sh750 million), but when Kenya Airports Authority sought approval to alter the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport project from renovation to construction at Sh10 billion, it did not raise any issue.

Yesterday, Mr Kajwang claimed contracts worth billions of shillings entered into by KAA could be illegal as its managing director George Muhoho’s appointment in 2003 was not gazetted until 2006.

Later, two MPs called — in Parliament — for an audit of the project: Siakago MP Justin Muturi and Gachoka MP Joseph Nyaga.

But the Nation established that Mr Muhoho’s appointment was gazetted on March 31, 2003, in a notice signed by then Transport minister John Michuki. Mr Michuki also revoked in the same gazette, the appointment of Mr Muhoho’s predecessor Stephen Muriithi. And KAA corporate affairs manager Mr Dominic N. Ngigi last night issued a statement confirming this position. But yesterday, Mr Kajwang’ also questioned the conduct of the Treasury and the World Bank in connection with the variation of the cost, arguing that the contracts signed by the KAA between 2003 and last year were not binding since Mr Muhoho was holding office illegally.

He produced a copy of a gazette notice of March 2006 showing that Transport minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere gazetted the MD’s appointment on May 9, 2006.

But the Nation again established that Mr Mwakwere’s notice number 3540 appointing Mr Muhoho was renewing his contract for a further three years.

Mr Kajwang produced a letter revoking Mr Muriithi’s tenure, written to him by then Transport PS Sammy Kyungu on March 26, 2003, which he claimed did not hold in law.


In the letter, copied to the Head of Civil Service Francis Muthaura, Mr Muriithi was advised to step aside and pave the way for an incoming chief executive.

Mr Kajwang claimed the absence of a gazette notice revoking Mr Muriithi’s tenure meant he was still the KAA boss. “The appointment cannot be revoked via a letter from the PS, it has to be a gazette notice,” he said.

Mr Kajwang’ was addressing a press conference at Parliament Buildings questioning the contract executed by Queens Quay Architects Consultants. He said that the variation came after Mr Muhoho went to London, with the blessings of Treasury and the bank to meet the consultants. It was then recommended that the job be done to Canadian standards which conveniently locked out Kenyans firms.

World Bank country director Colin Bruce is out of the country but is expected to respond to questions by the Nation which were sent to his office.
_______________________________________

In this case a politician using the free grounds of parliament, went about making all sorts of allegations about the Airport deal. That was news worthy. What is professional about this story is that the journalist actually took the trouble to double check the story and confirms that some of the allegations from the MP were not true!

I am surprised that people do not see the valid points put across by Okong'o decrying bad journalism!
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written by emmo opoti , April 19, 2007
Kamale,
That is an unfair comparison. You are reporting on discussions in Parliament concerning a scandal, not on investigative journalism or a breaking story.

I have agreed with your assertion, as has Okong'o and just about every Kenyan that the Standard has a very ostentatious manner about it. That however takes nothing from the fact that it is only taken seriously because the Nation is so very pro-establishment.

I heard that Patrick Quarco was opening a newspaper, what happened to it?
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written by aeichener , April 19, 2007
A well-written article and an excellent, thorough discussion. Especially the discussion shows - in my opinion as editor - the special value of an interactive yet edited e-paper as KenyaImagine is.

If I may add a viewpoint of mine: the training and ability of young Kenyan journalists is not bad at all, and probably superior to what passes as "journalism" in the USA these days. The language level and ability of Kenyan journalists is also superior to their US counterparts, in spite of the archaisms amd quirks of Kenyan English (words like "graft", "defilement", some grammatical idiosyncrasies w.r.t. double comparative and double negation, the truly Incredible kenyan Capitalization mess, or the inability to distinguish protocol and procedure, also evidenced by KenyanLoser here). The problem under which all Kenyan journalists at home suffer, is insufficient research facilities and far too slow web access. Also, using email is a cultural technique totally alien and repugnant to Kenyans in any position of decision-making, which also hampers journalistic work.

In my view, the main responsibility for the lamentable state and bottom-low ethics of Kenyan journalism lies with the editors and not with the poor journalists. We have treated that extensively here on the website, in the article "Editorial Substandards". Also, remember the so-called Nationmedia Sex Scandal, which also had more to do with editors than with journalists. These two categories are as different as larva and butterfly.

Alexander
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re: Nation, MIA
written by aeichener , April 19, 2007

While the word mercenary is definitely misleading, it is an undoubtable fact that these men are very dangerous.


Hm. If the average Kenyan really believes that these two posing clowns are "very dangerous", then it only shows that they have played the "I massa - you negro!" game well enough. And that they found - amazingly - lots of servile players to accept the game.

Alexander
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written by Patrick Gathara , April 19, 2007
There's no way the press can be subjected to the same standard of proof as the state. To aver that nothing that cannot be "proven" should be published is simply introducing censorship through the back door. The fact is, while we expect journalist to investigate and ascertain the credibility of their stories and sources, we could never demand that they adhere to "a proof beyond a reasonable doubt" standard. The whole reason we have laws to protect Press Freedoms is so that the public has access to information that the government might not want us to have. Such info is rarely in the form of signed confessions from state officials.

Secondly, the Standard explains that it published Margaryan's allegations, not because they were outrageous or shocking, but because the government's conduct in the entire affair was suspect. The claims of gangsters who were accorded VIP treatment by the state, who openly flouted our laws with impunity and whose reasons for being in the country in the first place are still murky should be aired for all to hear. The government is free to repudiate anything the Standard has printed and should be compelled to issue an explanation of the conduct of its officials (whom we pay) and to take action against the same.

Finally, if it is OK to take Osama bin Laden's word that he was the guy behind 9/11, why is it not OK to take the word of Margaryan? Are you implying that Osama is inherently more credible than Margaryan? As for evidence, how do you explain the GK vehicles, guns and fatigues found in the Arturs' residence? How do you explain their access to sensitive areas of our airports? How do you explain the suppression of the report of a commission that held hearings in public? I am convinced that we have enough evidence of government complicity in whatever it is the Arturs were planning to warrant the publication of their statements.
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written by Kamale , April 19, 2007
Emmo,

The point of the 'unfair' extract was to show that a good journalist will attempt to countercheck what he is being told even if he will print what he was told. That is a duty the journalist owes his readers - the truth. A journalist should never allow himself to be the messenger of lies.

Gathara,

What makes the Standard story dangerous is that it is based on a telephone conversation with someone whose credibility is in doubt. Do we even know that it was the man they were speaking to or were they just conned? In fact, have you considered it could be a red herring to drop Gideon Moi's name as a target especially by a Kibaki leaning minister?

As the Standard did not have any other form of evidence apart from the alleged taped telephone conversation, it would have been good journalism to issue a disclaimer that they had no independent way of verifying the information and that their readers should have dealt with this as a mere allegation.

Sadly, there are Kenyans who now believe this was true!
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Emmo, Please
written by That Kenyan Loser , April 19, 2007
I think you will find that the State has recourse to justice through the courts, and also as has been pointed out a million times, The Standard reported the News.

What the CID did is accepted protocol, universally in democratic societies. When a person claims to have information regarding a criminal act, law enforcement agencies have the power to summon that individual to the station for interrogation. FBI and the Scotland Yard do this all the time. The courts come in only when cops feel they have enough evidence to charge someone.

Regular citizens often get called to police stations to be questioned. Journalists shouldn't be exempt.

I agree that The Standard reported the news. Arguably, anything new can be considered news. You distinguish grain from chaff by looking at fairness and accuracy.

A good investigative publication takes accusatory information, calls the alleged villains and includes their part of the story. Even a "no comment" is enough.

To take one side and refuse to investigate is a lazy way to go, but unfortunately the path Kenyan newspapers often take..

They say the pen is a powerful weapon. Let's handle with care. Remember it was a journalist that played the greatest role in inciting Hutu extrimists to engage in genocide. Don't forget the first person to be convicted of atrocities against Jews during the Holocaust was a journalist.
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written by Stephen Wanyama , April 19, 2007
Kamale,
I remember you praising the Nation for its evisceration of Kalonzo. The world, through your rose-tinted glasses is a truly harsh place.

Newspapers carry lies all the time. The whole of the 'War on Terror' is lie. A big fat lie. All of America's media knew the 45 minute claim was a lie, that there were no 500 tonnes of uranium from Niger, that Saddam's WMD had been destroyed by the UN inspectors, etc. Scott Ritter and Hans Blix were shouting from the top of the world but no one was listening. Newspapers can hardly be expected to be messengers of truth, not when they are owned by people with very private interests.

Two national newspapers is far too few in my opinion. Perhaps the cause of all of this fitna.
Okong'o.
What I think we must agree on, is that the government has gone a little far in its treatment of the Standard. It is perhaps not worthy of our cheery support, but neither is its death, or cowing to our benefit. Really, imagine the world without the Standard, or KTN.
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written by Timothy Wainaina , April 19, 2007
Does anyone here know who it is that owns the Standard? I think the Nation is sheathed in the fact that the Aga Khan owns it. Lucy Kibaki may slap Derrick whoever, but the State knows better than to mess with the Aga Khan's assets.

Kamale,
Surely if this was propaganda, if the Artur's story was a pork-filled lie, why would the target be Gideon? Much better to say Raila or Kalonzo or Kerrow, I mean someone who matters. Do you think anyone gives a damn if Gideon Moi gets one in the temple?

Mwai Mugabe. Robert Kibaki. Freedom to Oppress.
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written by Patrick Gathara , April 20, 2007
The fact that the alleged conversation was carried out on the phone is no good reason why it should not be published. By all means, let us demand due diligence on the part of the Standard. However, the newspaper seems to be convinced that it had the right guy at the end of the line and you have not provided any good reason why we should doubt them. (By the way I would rather indulge in "conspiracy theories" other than believe the Government Spokesmen). Red herring the Artur story may be but the government's conduct seems to suggest that there's more to this than meets the eye.
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Web sources
written by That Kenyan Loser , April 20, 2007
If it is permissible to accept, as the world does consistently, the admissions from previously unknown websites -or from attention seeking terrorists, then why not from someone who has made several Press Conferences in the country and whose reality is confirmed by the counter-claims from the likes of Raila.

The world accepts fodder from Web sites after investigators have proven beyond doubt its authenticity. A terrorist sends in a tape or posts it on an Internet site, forensic experts look at it and report.

Was the Standard not giving the other side of the story, i.e the Armenian side?


Raila and the Arturs are on the same side on this one. Raila especially is a political nomad. He'll support the Arturs' claims that they were asked to assassinate Gideon Mois, while at the same time calling them mercenaries.
Are you sure there'd be any stories in the news if the press had to adhere to your standards?

Yes. There just wouldn't be melodramatic stories.
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re: re: Nation, MIA
written by That Kenyan Loser , April 20, 2007

While the word mercenary is definitely misleading, it is an undoubtable fact that these men are very dangerous.


Hm. If the average Kenyan really believes that these two posing clowns are "very dangerous", then it only shows that they have played the "I massa - you negro!" game well enough. And that they found - amazingly - lots of servile players to accept the game.

Alexander

That's the trouble with Kenya. A white guy walks in, everything stops to pay attention to him. The governement, the press, politicians and the citizenry are all still drunk with the colonial legacy.
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written by Advocatus Diaboli , April 20, 2007
Chief,

They raided the Standard while armed, had automatic weapons in their house, whipped guns at the airport, enjoyed high levels of credentials and access.

Define dangerous to exclude these and we're forever in your debt. AK 47 rounds don't distinguish field from house or emancipated negros hata the autochthonous such as most Kenyans are.
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written by That Kenyan Loser , April 20, 2007
As for evidence, how do you explain the GK vehicles, guns and fatigues found in the Arturs' residence?

I guess GK plates mean the government is involved.
How do you explain their access to sensitive areas of our airports?

Colonial mentality. We still treat white men like God. You know what I'm talking about. A white man says he is with the government, you take his word, or if you suspect him, you deport him. A fellow black man does it, you scrutinize him and clobber him in the head if you find out he is lying. Shame, shame, shame on us.
How do you explain the suppression of the report of a commission that held hearings in public?

You are the government. You find out that info in the report could drive the country to a civil war. Do you release it? Far-fetched? Yes. Possible? Yes.

The trouble with us Kenyans is that we want quick fixes to problems. We are yet to learn patience.
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Quotes
written by Kamale , April 20, 2007
To the administrator:

Is there anyway we can make quotes readable without using a torch as currently if you pick anyone's quote, the text is all blacked out and generally unreadable - especially to those of us with failing eyesight?
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