Standard Media Issues Statement On Employee In Viral Video Threatening To Commit Suicide
The Standard Media Group announced on Saturday that it had taken action to address the immediate needs of one of its employees who was depicted threatening suicide in a viral video.
In the video, an employee speaking from Standard’s headquarters on Mombasa Road expresses his dissatisfaction with salary delays and demands to be paid.
Standard Media Group has not paid employees for 9 months, others more than that,… On top of that, it fires them… This guy was done and wanted to kill himself at their offices. pic.twitter.com/GhBzFfnHDm
— Juma G 🇰🇪 (@jumaf3) August 17, 2024
Standard acknowledged that it was aware of the distress caused by salary delays for employees and assured them that the company was doing its best to address the situation despite its difficult financial position.
The staffer in question is a freelancer who was on sabbatical when the video was shot.
“Our attention has been drawn to a distressing incident that occurred on our premises this afternoon involving one of our freelancers, who is currently on a sabbatical.”
“This incident, in which the individual recorded himself in a distressing situation, has profoundly affected us, and we want to express our sincere empathy and concern for our colleague. Following the incident, we were able to address the freelancer’s immediate needs,” the company stated.
Update on related inquiries pic.twitter.com/atmDmfzIjU
— The Standard Digital (@StandardKenya) August 17, 2024
Standard, the country’s oldest privately owned media house, has struggled financially in recent years.
The media house has suffered significantly as a result of the disruption caused by digital channels in traditional media.
Due to the disruption and financial challenges, the company was forced to close KTN News, the country’s flagship and only 24-hour news channel, in the last month.
The decision to shut down KTN News was purely business-related, as the company was experiencing severe cash flow issues.
While the news was made public on August 6, visible signs of waning broadcasting had been present since July 5.
Other TV stations owned by the media stable, such as KTN Burudani and KTN Farmers TV, are also said to be on the chopping block.
The decision to shut down KTN News came just two weeks after the company announced plans to lay off 300 employees in cost-cutting measures.
“In reaching this decision, we took into consideration, the difficult operating environment and its long-drawn effect on revenue generation,” read a notice issued by the company at the time.
Counsellors, doctors, and psychologists all recommend that you seek help if you are experiencing any mental health problems. For assistance, call the Kenya Red Cross’s toll-free hotline at 1199.
Standard Media Issues Statement On Employee In Viral Video Threatening To Commit Suicide
