A Kenyan media house, Nation Media has been ordered by the country’s high court to pay up to a total of KSh 8 million (Ghs 405,900.92) to a business tycoon and his wife for publishing a false obituary, suggesting that the man had died.
ADVERTISEMENT
Court orders newspaper to pay over Ghs 400,000 to businessman for publishing his false obituary
The media job is getting more and more interesting in this era of people becoming enlightened about their rights and how to defend them when they are being infringed upon. To be safe and survive as a media house, verification and double-checking of facts are very key.
Court orders media house to pay over Ghs 400,000 to businessman for publishing his false obituary
ADVERTISEMENT
According to Tuko.co.ke, the newspaper published the damaging false obituary in February last year, which Jimmy Wanjigi claimed has caused him a huge damage as a renowned businessman as well as his family.
It is reported that Nation Media in its defense claimed it was just a third party in the matter, because some unknown persons had paid for a slot in the newspaper to advertise the said obituary.
ADVERTISEMENT
However, the court presided over by Judge Wilfrida Okwany dismissed the claim, saying the newspaper owed it a responsibility to cross-check the death of Jimmy Wanjigi before publishing his ‘obituary’.
"Nation owed a responsibility to ensure it published a fair and accurate information. They carried the obituary hence gained monetary benefit from it," Tuko.co.ke quoted the judge as saying.
Per the ruling, Nation must pay KSh 4 million to Jimmy Wanjigi for violating his right to privacy and causing him unnecessary pain and anguish. In addition, his wife Irene has also been awarded another KSh 4 million in compensation for the pain and anguish she suffered as a result of her husband’s false obituary.
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
ADVERTISEMENT
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: eyewitness@pulse.com.gh