Nation Media Group (NMG) has responded to concerns over the absence of women in its latest senior editorial appointments, acknowledging that female representation remains a gap at the leadership level.
The media company said it would work towards increasing the number of women in senior editorial and decision-making positions.
In a statement on Friday, September 18, Group Chief Executive Officer Geoffrey Odundo said NMG had taken note of the public discussion that followed the latest changes in its newsrooms across East Africa.
“NMG takes note of the public conversation following the recent changes to our editorial leadership across East Africa, including concerns regarding the representation of women,” Odundo said.
“We recognise the concern and the important role women have played in shaping NMG’s journalism over the years,” he added.
Men dominate latest appointments
This reaction came a day after NMG announced various changes in its editorial management team in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
However, most of the appointments went to men, leaving one wondering how many women have been given senior editorial posts at NMG.
Joe Ageyo, who is Group Editor-in-Chief, has been appointed Editor-in-Chief of NMG Uganda, whereas Washington Gikunju has been appointed Acting Managing Editor of NMG Uganda.
In Kenya, Harry Misiko has been appointed Acting Editor-in-Chief, while Dann Mwangi has been appointed Acting Managing Editor for Broadcast and New Media.
John Kiplagat was appointed Acting Managing Editor for Publishing, while Ben Kitili became Acting Lead Editor for Broadcasting.
Justus Wanga was given responsibility for the Weekend Edition, while Michael Owuor was appointed Acting Lead Editor for the Daily Nation.
Michael Omondi was also appointed Acting Lead Editor of the Business Daily.
In Tanzania, James Smart was appointed Acting Managing Editor for Broadcast and New Media at Mwananchi Communications Limited.
The changes led to public debate over the selection of the new editorial leaders, with much of the concern focusing on the absence of women among those appointed to the senior positions.
NMG gives gender representation figures
Odundo said NMG recognised the role women have played in the organisation and agreed that more needed to be done to improve representation in leadership.
He said having more women in leadership and decision-making roles would strengthen the company’s journalism and help its newsrooms better reflect the audiences they serve.
According to NMG, women currently make up 36 per cent of its overall workforce and 33 per cent of its newsroom staff.
Women account for 42 per cent of the company’s Executive Committee, while 41 per cent of Heads of Department are women.
Odundo noted that the figures at the executive and departmental levels were above NMG’s target of 40 per cent representation.
However, he acknowledged that the latest debate had highlighted a gap in editorial leadership.
He said the concerns provided the media company with an opportunity to examine how female representation could be improved at that level.