Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has insisted that he will not apologise for his remarks directed at the Nation Media Group (NMG).
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, Kuria stated that he has a “rich” media background and thus fully understands the industry.
“I am not apologising. I have been a media owner before. I have been a writer in your newspapers. There is nobody who is pro-media more than me. But I know the difference between media and what Thomas (Stanley) Baldwin called the prerogative of the harlot, the exercise of power without responsibility,” Kuria stated.
Kuria has been under fire from media stakeholders since Sunday, when he announced sanctions against the NMG and threatened to deny them government advertisements.
“Nation Media, you must now decide whether you are a newspaper, broadcasting house, media house or a political party. I have said, from tomorrow, from today even, any government department found placing advertising in Nation Media Group, consider yourself out (of government),” Kuria said on Sunday.
Later in a tweet, Kuria made derogatory remarks against NMG journalists, which have sparked a debate across social media and media stakeholders including journalists, editors, media owners and civil society groups.
