The Standard Responds to President Ruto, Defends Press Freedom and Editorial Independence
The Standard Rejects Claims of Blackmail and Propaganda
The Standard Group PLC has strongly responded to President William Ruto following a social media post in which the Head of State accused the media house of running what he described as “extortionist propaganda” against his administration.
In a detailed press statement released on Thursday, The Standard said it could not ignore the President’s remarks because they directly singled out the media organization and challenged the foundation of its journalism.
President Ruto had written on X:
“Your STANDARD media’s 5 days a week EXTORTIONIST propaganda HEADLINES on me & my administration’s transformative track record will get you NOTHING & NOWHERE. BLACKMAIL to yield to your GREED? NEVER. Kenya belongs to all Kenyans, not you alone. Jaribu 8 days a week. Do your WORST.”
The newspaper group described the President’s comments as condescending and said they fell short of the standards expected from the country’s highest office.
“The post attacked the very foundation of our journalism using language that falls short of the tone expected from the highest office in the land,” the statement read.
While acknowledging President Ruto’s assertion that “Kenya belongs to all Kenyans,” The Standard argued that the role of the media is not to praise government performance uncritically but to scrutinize those in power.
“He is the country’s leader and when he fails, Kenya fails. But The Standard will not cheer on any such failure; we will instead point it out. We are, figuratively speaking, the child with the courage to say: ‘The emperor is naked!’” the media house stated.
The company reaffirmed its commitment to what it termed bold, responsible, and accountable journalism, emphasizing that its reporting is guided by facts, public interest, and professional ethics.
According to the statement, the organization operates within the Constitution, the law, the Code of Conduct for the Practice of Journalism, and under the oversight of recognized regulatory bodies.
‘We Are Not a Propaganda Outlet’ – Standard Media Group
The Standard rejected suggestions that its editorial decisions are influenced by political interests or external pressure.
“The Standard is not a propaganda outlet. Our journalism is guided by facts, public interest and professional ethics,” the statement said.
The media house further defended its watchdog role in a democratic society, insisting that holding leaders accountable is a constitutional responsibility rather than an act of hostility.
“The media’s role in a democracy is to act as a watchdog. We take this responsibility seriously. We cannot celebrate the failures of leadership because when government fails, the country pays the price.”
The statement also stressed that the company does not take instructions from any individual or government office.
The Standard reminded President Ruto of his previous public support for media freedom during a Safari Rally event in Naivasha, where he reportedly emphasized the importance of protecting journalists’ right to criticize government.
The company said it now expects the President to uphold that commitment.
“That commitment aligned with the constitutional duty of the State to protect press freedom. Today, we hold the President to that pledge.”
KSh1.2 Billion Debt Claim Raises New Questions
One of the most striking parts of the statement was The Standard’s claim that the government owes the company KSh1.2 billion, alleging that the debt has negatively affected its operations.
Responding to President Ruto’s accusation of blackmail, the media house turned the argument back on the government.
“Lastly, the President mentioned ‘blackmail’ in his post. We pose: What greater form of blackmail is there than a government withholding KSh1.2 billion that it owes us, with the apparent desire of frustrating our operations?”
The company added:
“Blackmail? We are victims of blackmail; not perpetrators.”
The statement argued that the delayed payments affect hundreds of employees whose livelihoods depend on the organization.
The Standard also issued a warning that it would hold the government accountable should any harm come to its journalists, management, directors, shareholders, or operations as a result of the President’s remarks.
“The Standard Group PLC will hold the government fully accountable should any harm befall the media house, its journalists, management, directors or its shareholders as a result of the President’s remarks.”
The exchange marks one of the most direct public confrontations between President Ruto and a major Kenyan media organization.
About the Author
