The National Bank of Kenya (NBK) has today written to Governor of the Central Bank of Kenya and ICT Cabinet Secretary to intervene and deal with ‘unregulated blogging’.
The bank seeks to have bloggers dealt with over the ‘increasing cases of defamation of banks’.
NBK is particularly concerned by a case of a ‘rogue social media user’ who has continued to spread malicious and untruthful information about banks and other companies, in alleged extortion scams.
Additionally, the bank has written to the Media Council for verification of the blogger’s identity and to check if the council has jurisdiction over blogging.
In Kenya, irresponsible blogging continues to be a major concern for reputation- sensitive institutions like banks.
The Bank is advocating for policy level intervention and state punishment of any blogger masquerading as a journalist. Unlike in journalism, bloggers do not subscribe to a code of ethics.
They also do not have requirement for formal education or certification in journalism.
National Bank of Kenya is in support of legislation that promotes responsible blogging while punishing abuse of freedom of expression and extortion by elements practicing irresponsible blogging.
The bank will further seek the support of the industry lobby and companies affected by vice recently for their contribution towards finding a lasting solution to the problem.