A senior news anchor at Citizen TV, Lilian Muli, has attracted the wrath of Kenyans after she posed an unexpected question to a rape victim.
Muli was covering an emotive topic of sexual violence with one Ms Irene Karimi, a sexual violence survivor.
Trouble began when Muli asked Ms Karimi, who was robbed, beaten up and raped by a group of ten men in February 2015, whether she had possibly provoked her attackers.
[caption caption="Lilian Muli"]
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"Could you have said something, could you have done something, were you dressed in a certain way? Because initially, their intention was to steal?" Muli posed.
Karimi clarified: "When rapists come to intrude a lady, it's not because the woman is behaving in a certain way. They do it because that is who they are, it's not because the woman is who she is."
However, viewers were angered by the particular question terming it as insensitive and inappropriate given the subject at hand.
@lilllian_muli you can't ask Ms Karimi if she was dressed inappropriately, if she offended them,how can you, how could you! You should at least have researched how to handle a rape victim, survivor prior to this interview. A rapist is a rapist.Whether you are in a buibui or naked
— Patience Syombua (@patiesyombua) April 7, 2018
— Grace (@wamagirii) April 8, 2018
— Chapo Addict (@Ireri_TheOne) April 8, 2018
— Bavon Marie Marie (@francis_mmakau) April 8, 2018
— Dr Wandia (@wmnjoya) April 7, 2018
— Wambua mwana'a Munguti (@WaMunguti) April 8, 2018
— Gathoni (@I_am_Gathoni) April 8, 2018
International journalism standards on coverage of trauma, conflict and tragedy require one to be compassionate and humane with the interviewee.
Besides, trending on an "emotional soft ground" such as sexual violence requires that the interviewer discerns the gems from the chatter hence avoiding obsessing with little details that may resuscitate traumatizing memories.
Essentially, journalism dictates that the interviewer should not deprive their subject from expressing natural and proper emotions but should empower them to fully express their perspective on the topic.
Regarding this incident, some netizens blamed Muli's producer for possibly having formulated the inappropriate question as anchors are under instructions during a live newscast interview.
— why people's names so long on here?? (@CrumblyyBoohoo) April 8, 2018
— Raymond Kyalo (@raymond_kyalo) April 8, 2018
— Vincent (@O_vincey) April 9, 2018
— Chester Nyantika (@NyantikaChester) April 8, 2018
— DAVID LUDOGOLI (@DLUDOGOLI) April 8, 2018
A section of her fans came to her defense indicating that Muli's question was probably misunderstood and she is likely to have no ill-intention at all.
— Githinji wa Muhoro (@patrickgithinji) April 8, 2018
— Urban Geek (@alexbernie) April 8, 2018
— Bebot Vicky (@Jaber3000) April 8, 2018
— Papa Ombajo (@Paapa__) April 8, 2018
Here is the video:
[video:]
