Election coverage: What can Kenyans expect from Nation’s pledge on 2027?

The Nation Media Group on Monday kicked off its coverage of the General Election next year, Decision 2027, with several articles on all its platforms, a leadership forum bringing together the media house’s executives, government officials, human rights organisations, private sector players and members of the public, a discussion with the Editor-In-Chief on the “Fixing The Nation” show, and other activities. The date was significant as it was exactly one year to the elections. Most importantly, in a Page One Comment, ‘Our solemn pledge to Kenyan voters’, and in editorials across all its platforms, NMG made a major commitment to how its journalists and editors will cover this significant political moment. Basically, the editorial restates NMG’s Editorial Policy.

The Page One Comment or front-page editorial on a newspaper is a rare feature reserved for special moments. It is used to communicate the publication’s position on an important national or global issue or to set the public agenda. The Page One Comment differs from the standard editorial not only by the prominence it is accorded by being placed on the front page, but by the seriousness of its subject and tone. While the standard editorial, published daily, is the editor’s take on day-to-day occurrences, the Page One Comment focuses on a rare issue. It is published only with the consensus of the entire senior editorial leadership of the media house. Sometimes, the decision to publish this important piece must be sanctioned by the Editorial Board Committee.

In the editorial on Monday, August 10, NMG states that covering the General Election “goes beyond the daily reporting of campaign rallies, opinion polls, political manifestos, and results of the elections”, and notes that Kenyans will rely on its websites, newspapers, television and radio stations and social media platforms to understand the choices before them. “They will expect us to separate fact from propaganda, interrogate promises, scrutinise records and provide credible information upon which they will hope to make informed decisions.”

It promises to be independent and impartial, with the public interest as its moral and professional compass, and to focus on issues affecting Kenyans, such as the high cost of living, corruption, jobs for young people, public debt and health. Another key pledge is to expose and condemn electoral malpractice, shining a light on voter bribery, intimidation, the misuse of public resources, political goonism, hate speech and attempts to interfere with the lawful administration of the elections. And in this era, when artificial intelligence can be used to spread false information, NMG promises to strengthen fact-checking and call out manipulated information.

Why did the editors and senior leadership decide to publish the Page One Comment? With the waning trust in media, this strong statement seeks to reaffirm the place of the Nation as a source of credible information. It also dispels any false perceptions of bias, as it restates the media house’s independence.

Overall, the special editorial and enhanced coverage have been well received, with ‘likes’ on social media pages. However, some Kenyans murmured with displeasure at the assertion by the Editor-in-Chief that the coverage will be issue-based, “with less time spent on personalities and more on records. What candidates have actually done, what they are prioritising, and what it would mean for citizens”. One Kenyan quipped that television would have no space in next year’s elections. “TV has let us down several times… switching off in 2007, just to come back on air to find we have a president…. We may talk about what candidates have done. More attention will be paid to negative things candidates did, like killing young people, stealing, tolerating impunity, or to their integrity…”

Another Kenyan stated: “I have seen the commitment about how the Nation Media Group will be issue-based… It did not sit well with me. It is an unwitting template for skewed media attention, with the risk of moving away from reflecting the mood of the country”. He concludes that “the character and personality of the candidate is sometimes the issue of the election”.

Both reactions are valid, and call for further reflection for the editors as they set the agenda for the General Election next year. There is still an opportunity to recast the national conversation on human rights and equity, and not just financial and technical achievements. While it is important to evaluate what people have done, or promise to do, they should also be rated based on the constitutional requirements of justice and equity. Leadership should not be a preserve for people who have had a chance to lead (and deliver). At all levels, there should be room for new voices and ideas. The media should advance values-driven campaigns and leadership.

The pledge is an invitation to Kenyans to hold the Nation Media Group accountable. The editors have set the bar for themselves by letting Kenyans know how they should judge the media house in restating commitment to walk the talk. They have whetted the appetite of their readers, listeners and viewers, and they now have the easier task of honouring the pledge.

The evidence of their commitment will be in the quality and rigour of the journalism they serve their audiences. In the long run, Kenyans will decide whether the pledge was merited or mere posturing.

The Nation team must be careful not to be slain by its own sword.

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Contact the Public Editor to raise ethical concerns or request a review of published material. Reach out: Email: [email protected]. Mobile number: 0741978786.