Independent Columnists at Nation Media Resign En Masse, cite Gagging Attempts

Independent columnists at the Nation Media Group have resigned en masse citing gagging and frustrations from ‘powerful’ sources in the country.

In a letter addressed to His Highness, the Aga Khan, the columnists say they are protesting “what appears to be a process of circumscribing independent voices within NMG, contrary to its stated editorial policy and damaging its brand as a credible mirror of the society.”

The columnists also complained of illegal dismissals at NMG like that of Dennis Galava as the Managing Editor and that of Godfrey Mwampebwa, “Gado” the cartoonists.

“For many years, we have been privileged to contribute regularly to various publications of the Nation Media Group as columnists. But sadly, and with regret, we now announce the immediate withdrawal of our columns from these columns.”

They took issues with the Editor-in-Chief, Tom Mshindi, and the editorial board, calling on the Aga Khan to call them to question.

“Mshindi has lost the confidence of his editorial staff and engendered public suspicion about his political independence, and has become the focal personality in the lawsuits that followed these dismissals,” they stated.

The Nation Media Group has hit the headlines in the past following dismissals of various members of staff as well as seeming to be ‘leaning towards the government of the day.’