Mediamax Network Limited has seven days to apologize to a Meru businessman over alleged defamation by presenters at one of her radio stations or risk being sued.
Robert Murega in a letter seen by the Press Point demands for apology and admission of liability by the media house on alleged defamatory and slanderous information aired on Meru FM’s show Theria Ntuku (Brighten the Day) on June 2.
The complainant’s lawyers say the show presenters Karani Kithama and Mwenda Kinoti made their client the subject of their entire program and fed the audience with false and malicious information likely to injure his reputation and character.
It is said that the two journalists, during the program that runs from 5:45 am to 10am, alleged that Mr Murega had abandoned his children and failed in his parental responsibilities.
Mr Murega says the presenters in so doing, were oblivious that the issue was pending determination before a Meru court (Case No 28 of 2018) where court gave orders against discussing the matter.
Further, his lawyers said, the court gave directions on custody and maintenance of the issues subject to the case and that there had been full compliance by their client.
“If your presenters would have done due diligence, they would have established facts before sharing the malicious and defamatory information.
It’s our client’s belief that you deliberately refused and ignored to adhere to journalism code of conduct,” the letter by Murega’s lawyers read in part.
The businessman demands that Mediamax immediately apologizes and corrects the alleged false reporting and desist from further publications of the impugned subject matter.
The media house should accept liability for libel and defamation to pave way for negotiations in regards to the matter, Murega adds.
“Failure to meet the demands in seven days will invoke legal machinery and explore all legal mechanisms including and not limited to reporting to Media Council of Kenya and instituting civil suit for defamation claims,” the letter dated June 2, 2020 further noted.
