Radio Africa Group (RAG), owner of Kenya’s leading media institutions has lost a major advertising deal with East African Breweries Limited (EABL) after presenters of one of its subsidiary station, Homeboyz Radio made derogatory comments against a victim of gender-based violence.
EABL has announced the suspension of advertising on all programs hosted by the presenters of the Homeboyz Morning Show.
The broadcaster has also been criticised by Media Council of Kenya and the Communications Authority.
A statement from the Media Council said:
“In line with the enforcement process, the MCK issued a notice demanding retraction and apology for violation of clauses 21,23 and 24 of the journalism code of conduct, that speak to use of pictures and names, acts of violence and editor’s responsibility. The management of Homeboyz Radio released an apology during its subsequent radio shows, via their social media platforms and has finally terminated the services of the individuals involved.”
Presenters of the station’s morning show, Shaffie Weru, Joseph Munoru and Neville Musya, allegedly demeaned a woman who was reportedly thrown from the twelfth floor of a building by a man she met on Facebook, after she refused sexual advances from him.
The trio’s comments suggested support for the action against the woman, and gender-based violence against women in general. They were suspended for two weeks by the media group, pending an investigation.
The company apologised to the victim and announced mandatory training for all its radio personalities and social media teams, covering gender awareness sensitization.
“The training shall be done by our legal team and a credible institution that is a key advocate for women’s rights and their protection from all forms of discrimination, bias, and abuse,” RAG said in a statement.
According to a report in The Standard, EABL expressed disappointment to RAG on the conduct of its presenters and added that it discourages gender insensitive statements including ones portraying women negatively in all its marketing campaigns.
The East African beverage company and Guinness make up the major advertising customers of RAG.
The National Gender and Equality Commission of Kenya has also commented on the issue, noting the “multiple breaches of the code of conduct for the practice of journalism in Kenya as well as the programming code committed by Homeboyz Radio during one of their breakfast shows on March 25, 2021.”
The Commission has welcomed the administrative actions taken by Homeboyz Radio against its staff as well as the sanctions imposed by the industry regulators, saying:.
“It is our considered view that Journalists and media enterprises play a critical role in not only raising awareness of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence but in countering stereotypes and outdated attitudes that may persist on the issue. For this reason, we urge media practitioners to use their venerated space to inform, educate the public on the dangers of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and speak against harmful practices.”
Weru is suing the company for over Sh21 million in benefits, for illegal dismissal and RAG had announced a countersuit against Weru. RAG said it would sue the former presenter for breach of contract and negligence.
Photo: Homeboyz Radio logo, inset Shaffie Weru, Instagram