The Nation Media Group has faced heavy backlash on social media after a team of upcoming female fashion designers faulted the company for intellectual property theft.
In an embarrassing case of unethical reporting, they accused a journalist under the media firm of publishing pictures taken at a fashion event and wrongfully issuing credits for the models and the clothing brand responsible for the designs.
Speaking out through a TikTok video that has since gone viral, the four ladies explained how the reporter identified as Yvonne Gitundu had earlier reached out to them and expressed interest in sharing their work on a newspaper column, to which they happily obliged, as it was a rare chance to showcase their talent to the masses.
She requested their names, which they gave out as Grace, Priscila Akoth, Juliet Awuor and Vanessa.
But to their surprise, when the Nation magazine was printed, the names that appeared under the credits section were totally different from what they had submitted to Ms. Gitundu.
To make matters worse, the fashion reporter, who appears to own her own clothing line, gave all the credit for the designs to herself.
She also wrongfully included her name in the list of persons that modelled the “Ankara” dresses.
The only person who got rightfully credited was Francis Nderitu, who shot the photos.
@dailynation_KE Shame on you!! Justice for us and all the youths,, deserve justice@NationMediaGrp @SakajaJohnson @KTNNewsKE @Kenyans @citizentvkenya @akotheesafaris @ntvkenya @Tuko_co_ke @Nairobi_News @NairobiGossips @Shornarwa1
@twech_womanrunway #JusticeMatters #YouthVoices pic.twitter.com/CLPgWHF8pJ— akothee96 (@akothee96) November 25, 2022
This is very wrong to exploit young people who are working so hard to thrive in life.
It is a big shame to the once-reputable Nation brand.
The company should immediately settle this, apologize, and reprimand the unprofessional journalist!
Giving a free centrepiece to these lovely humans to showcase their work and get the recognition they deserve with their correct names would be a perfect place to start.
The young designers must also be compensated.
