Standard Group Journalist Exposes Managers as Crisis Deepens

A Standard Group journalist has vented on the challenges reportedly facing journalists and employees in the company, calling out top management for sinking the company. 

In a message shared on the company’s internal channel, the journalist whose name is hidden, confronted the company’s management accusing it of failing to take responsibility for recent woes.

He began the letter stating that he was writing with a heavy heart and eyes due to the situation and circumstances preceding his message.

As per the letter, the scribe joined Standard Group- one of the country’s prominent media companies, six years ago as a young journalist. 

In an unexpected turn of events, however, the company found itself in one of the most perplexing phenomena as he put in the message.

“The roof housing us is on the verge of collapse due to what we all know, poorly thought out or unnecessary decisions.”

The employee then went on to accuse Standard Group’s management of repeatedly failing to respond to concerns and challenges facing its staffers. 

Consequently, many colleagues, according to his revelation, are depressed owing to financial constraints and uncertainties.

“Many colleagues are depressed. Our pockets are crying.”

All that is left for the journalists to work for, the letter states, is passion and love for the company on the part of employees. 

But the situation, according to the scribe, was made worse by employees’ failure to speak out especially to the management. 

“As SG staff we have aided this by being silent about our woes,” the message read in part.

“We all agree that we are here to make insanely great products that inform the audiences and enrich their lives. I think we must organize internally for change and speak about working conditions. We must ask the right questions.” 

In the disclosure, the journalist further faulted managers stating that they made decisions about the company’s future without involving their staff.

How the rain started beating Standard Group

The woes started when the company reportedly embarked on a drive to implement a convergence plan to modernize its operations.

As mooted by the company’s top management, the plan would see Standard Group operate from a one big studio encompassing various media. 

Unknown to many in the company, however, the plan named Project Eagle ended up crippling Kenya’s oldest media company with a legacy of over 100 years. 

To date, Standard Group’s leadership was yet to come out clean on what went wrong in the ambitious plan and the genesis of the constraints. 

As per the journalist, such unanswered questions on why the plan backfired should have warranted resignation of top managers.

Also Read: Standard Group Staff Threatens to Kill Self During CEO Meeting – EXCLUSIVE

In his own words, the staffer said that the failure had jeopardized the operations of a legacy media entity and affected livelihoods of thousands of employees in the company. 

“I say this because you’re the frontline soldier and remaining silent will add your bucket of frustrations and sufferings,” the letter read.

“I do not want a case where I will fundraise to go bury a colleague because of mental health issues and depression.”

Editor lauds Standard Group employees for wading auctioneer’s threat

In another separate note, a senior editor in the company vented over a recent incident where auctioneers reportedly stormed the company’s premises.

The editor in a message shared on the c0mpany’s WhatsApp group revealed that staff members in the company were forced to step up and protect Standard Group’s property from the auctioneers.

According to him, journalists and other staff members in the company demonstrated their love for the company, choosing to be on the frontline despite their predicaments.

However, the seasoned journalist described the incident as a low moment for journalist in the company.

He faulted management for to prevent the “security lapse” which reportedly saw auctioneers storm the company’s premises.

Also Read: Standard Group Announces Auction of Vehicle, Old Tyres and Laptops

The journalist then posed a question wondering how Standard Group’s management bars staff members from accessing its premises without cards, yet the auctioneers entered and tried to carry away key equipment.

“It is not our fault why should we carry the cross,” he typed.

“Congratulations everybody who stepped up to fight for the company,” he added.

In October, Standard Group had hit the headlines yet again after an insider revealed a message from an employee confessing to have suicidal thoughts.

The case caught the attention of various stakeholders in the industry, with the Kenya Union of Journalist leading in piling pressure for the company to address concerns.

Standard Group’s leadership would later defend its position, noting that it was working to restructure and diversify its model to cope with emerging trends.

In addition, the company blamed part of its woes on pending bills.