Ruto hits out at the media for bias, propaganda
President William Ruto has again hit out at the media with accusations of peddling propaganda against his government.
Speaking on June 14, 2023, during the opening the First Kenya Urban Forum in Naivasha, President Ruto emphasised the importance of post-election unity and the need for constructive criticism when necessary.
The Head of State reiterated that the media was covering him in bad light because of its perceievd closeness to Azimio leader Raila Odinga.
“Sometimes we try to understand the media supported a different candidate (in the 2022 presidential and their candidate lost. Once the election is over, we should be democratic to say I supported a different candidate but since this character won, I don’t like him very much but because it is democracy, let us support what is positive and good for the country and oppose when it is necessary. I have no issue,” Ruto said when asked about his view about the media.
The president acknowledged that despite personal preferences, it is crucial for the nation to come together and support initiatives that benefit the country.
While President Ruto did not provide specific examples of media bias, his statement serves as a call to action for journalists and media organizations to uphold ethical standards and maintain their role as watchdogs of society.
The president’s words also highlight the importance of critical analysis and holding leaders accountable for their actions.
During campaigns, Ruto accused the media of being biased and even threatened to withdraw from the presidential debate as a result.
“If you have taken sides then organize presidential debate for the side and don’t expect us to sanitize the process,” Ruto said in June 2022.
In the same month, State House spokesperson Hussein Mohammed, who was at the time serving as the Communications Director at president Ruto’s campaign secreteriat issued a statement saying, “We have noted with much concern the repeated and continued bias and propaganda in a section of Kenya’s mainstream media in abuse of statutory law. Under the current partisan media environment, we have advised our candidate against participating in the presidential debate.”
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