‘Nation’ suspends political advertising
January 29, 2008 by Seasons
Since the disputed elections, we have seen many full pages adverts from the government, ODM and some that were just labeled ‘advertisers notice’. A full page colour in the major dailies cost around 300k including VAT.
This evening Nation Media group has suspended running of any political adverts. According to the announcement, they did this to aid the mediation process as they feel the adverts may adversely affect the mediation.
I applaud this move as I can imagine the lost revenue especially considering the reduced advertising since the chaos in Kenya started. I cancelled a large advertising campaign earlier in the month and the agency I use informed me that this has been the norm this month. So, for NMG to take this action, it took some consideration.
I just wish we all can give this Annan led mediation a chance and hopefully we can have a chance to reclaim peace.
On a different note, I have talked to many business owners and they all have been making plans to leave Kenya as the violence escalates. It is said that amongst the reasons the Kenya shilling is losing against major currencies, is capital flight. We know market fundamentals such as speculation, low inflow etc are in play but transfers to India, UK and South Africa are going on in earnest. I don’t blame these friends of mine- am considering doing the same.
The other side of whats going on for the shilling is that you get more shilling for the dollar which is good for us since we do all our fundraising in the States and give scholarships in Kenya shillings.
we’re considering liquidating all our dollars into shillings right now coz the strengthening shilling was really cutting into our budget. I really believe that the situation will improve in a few months. Hopefully thats not just naive naivete
Wanjiru,
I support 7 kenyan orphans by meeting their school fees and would like to communicate on how I can support your endevour. I will email.
This is very good news.
About time! Those asinine advertisements were just making a volatile situation still worse!
Too little, too late from a media house that has promoted division in the country.
I bet they were scared by the monster that they have helped create that has engulfed our nation.
It was indeed a hard decision for Nation and someone quoted the revenues they’re losing; staggering amounts. It can only take a business owner who knows the repurcussions not to be flippant about such a cancellation.
Soon, this country will be a shell; capital flight, loss of skills, investments, braindrain. For one who had never considered moving to another country, it has crossed my mind more than just a few times.
Good move but saddly doesn’t increase my motivation to read the papers.
I don’t know i have hope in Kenya that is unwavering. I would consider if the capital was attacked.
I think Nation has been the sole voice of reason during this period-but then I’ll probably be called a tribalist, PANUA et al.
As for the prospects for the economy, my experience has been the opposite, speaking with my cousins who are businessmen in Nak, I think the last week is the most relaxed I have heard them being. I’m very optimistic that should these two politicians resolve the issues, the opportunities in Kenya will almost as good as in 2002.
Not much to go on here when you ban adverts!! Kenyans stopped reading papers a long time ago, either they cant affford them or they are busy asking fellow Kenyans for their national ID’s for verification..If the handshake btwn the PNU and ODM leader on the first page ( full colour) of the dailies did not work, what makes you think people give a hoot about the adverts? Mediation or not, its a different ball game out there where the wanainchi are*