ODPP issue stern warning to journalists who misreport facts
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has warned journalists and media houses of misreporting facts citing that action will be taken against those who commit the offence.
ODPP stated that instead of disseminating inaccurate information, journalists and media houses should ask for clarification.
“The ODPP takes great exception to such reporting from journalists and media houses that continue to misreport and misrepresent facts. We will take action against such reporting. The ODPP is always available for clarification,” he stated.
The warning follows a statement by James Smart, a journalist who claimed that Cabinet Secretary nominee for Labour and Affirmative Action, Aisha Jumwa failed to attend her murder trial and had been ordered by the ODPP to stay near State House for a possible swearing in today.
“Aisha Jumwa failed to attend her murder trial today. ODPP instead told the court that she said “her and other nominees had been ordered to stay near State House for a possible swearing in today,” James said.
The ODPP, however, dismissed the remarks saying that it was Jumwa, through her lawyers, who told the court that she would appear for the court session virtually.
“Dunstan Omari, one of Jumwa’s lawyers, while responding to why his client was appearing virtually, said that she had to hang around State House, waiting for her appointment. Court records can confirm this. ODPP would like to encourage factual reporting,” ODPP said.
Recently, an editor from TUKO News was sentenced to six months or pay a fine of Sh50,000 for allegedly misreporting and publishing a story over the National Youth Service (NYS) corruption case.
His sentencing was aimed to serve as a warning to other journalists against misreporting facts.
