A senior journalist with The New York Times was on Tuesday forced to issue an apology on behalf of the paper following uproar from Kenyans over graphic images of the terror attack at 14 Riverside Drive posted on the website.
The article – titled Nairobi Attack: Shabab Claim Responsibility for Deadly Assault –written by incoming East Africa Bureau Chief Kimiko de Freytas-Tamura, drew public ire as it contained graphic images of bodies at the scene of crime.
The article was brought to the attention of Kenyans online by Twitter user Fadhili Kanini who called out several international media outlets for the disturbing images, terming them “absolutely distasteful, disgusting and deplorable.”
Very disturbing images published by @GettyImages, accredited to @kabirdhanji, from the Riverside/Dusit incident. Others posted by @nytimes attributed to Khalil Senosi (for @AP) in an article by @kimidefreytas. Absolutely distasteful, disgusting and deplorable. An utter disgrace.
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While responding to Mr. Kanini’s tweet, Ms. Freytas – at first seemingly defiant – distanced herself from blame saying she does not choose photos for stories published on the platform.
Very disturbing images published by @GettyImages, accredited to @kabirdhanji, from the Riverside/Dusit incident. Others posted by @nytimes attributed to Khalil Senosi (for @AP) in an article by @kimidefreytas. Absolutely distasteful, disgusting and deplorable. An utter disgrace.
As I’ve said, I don’t choose the photos. Please direct your anger to our photo department. Thank you.
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Her response only seemed to add more fire to an already raging fire, forcing her to offer an apology “for causing anger and anguish over the photos that have been published with our reporting.”
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Kenyans online were, however, adamant to accept her apology, only asking her to ensure the photos were pulled down.
How about taking the photo down .....
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Instead of saying thank you, take that picture down.
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Would you have published the photos if they were of dead Americans?
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A true apology would be taking it down everything else is PR and noise.
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Don't apologize. Call your colleagues and have that photo pulled down! Shameful!
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Dear @nytimesworld given this account has been suspended can you agree you flaunted rules? @BBCAfrica #Riversideattack pic.twitter.com/UXXd1EhpLZ
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