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With the wave of stories about corruption that the Nation published, several readers wondered if it was safe to denounce the corrupt.
It was said that he had "delicate information" and that he wanted to remain anonymous because the people involved have "strong ties". He wrote to ask, "Can NMG guarantee that my identity will be protected?"
Another was angry that NMG published information even after "I told you not to do it!" She shouted in her email: t be serious !!! I told you not to publish some of my information but you went ahead and did it !! As disrespectful !! You have caused me (cost) my relationship. I hope you are cool with that !! "
However, when the publisher of op-ed, which was copied, wrote searching for more information, she did not respond to the email
Yet another reader has accused NMG of "disrespecting" someone's life. "When someone retrieves information for your guys, please RESPECT THIS !!! Today, you have destroyed some serious relations !!!! "
For the last two readers, I could not get to the bottom of their complaints because they did not say exactly what happened.
I could not help, however, noticing their use of all capital letters and several exclamation points.This type of writing may not be acceptable in a formal communication. have understood their anger and their surprise.These are emotions that it is difficult to project into a written text
With this small question of style apart, let me say that there is nothing more clear in the journalistic profession than the confidentiality of the sources.If you speak to a journalist in complete confidentiality, he has the moral and professional obligation not to reveal your name.C & ### 39, is a journalistic principle and a privilege recognized throughout the world.
There are good reasons for this. it's a word of honor. Second, professional ethics requires that journalists minimize damage. Third, it is a practical question: if confidential sources are not protected, this could have a deterrent effect on the ability of journalists to collect information.
Journalists will soon find that no one wants to speak to them in confidence. And if that happens, the media's ability to discover corruption, for example, would be severely compromised.
Fourthly, in democratic societies, the protection of confidential sources is one of the fundamental rights and freedoms, including freedom of expression. . In many of these countries, there are "shield laws" that protect the right of journalists to protect confidential sources.
They recognize that if the confidentiality of the sources is not respected in principle, the free flow of information would be inhibited.
In Kenya, the confidentiality of sources is protected by the Second Schedule of the 2013 Media Act, which states that journalists have "the professional obligation to protect confidential sources of information".
NMG's editorial policy states that, in circumstances where total confidentiality is badumed to condition the obtaining of history, then this situation must be respected and considered in accordance with the existing legal framework.
"In general, journalists have a moral obligation to protect confidential sources of information," says the policy.
However, in almost every country, there are cases where a journalist may be obliged to disclose confidential sources because of other overriding interests.In Kenya, Article 52 of the Constitution provides that every citizen has the right to access information held by another person if it requires "for the exercise or protection of any right or fundamental freedom".
obliged to disclose a confidential source if someone sues and convinces the court that 39, he needs information, for example, to defend himself in a defamation case, yet it would be rare and the threshold to convince the court would probably be high.
So, relax, if you have any information sensitive, the public should know r you want to confidentially disclose it to a NMG journalist, you are in good hands.
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