Standard Group unveils new CEO

Sam Shollei Standard Group CEO [Photo: The Standard]

By Rawlings Otieno

The Standard Group has assured its audiences and Kenyans at large that it will be impartial in its coverage in the run up to the General Election set for March 2013.

The incoming Chief Executive Officer Sam Shollei said Kenya’s oldest media house will defend its independence and offer candidates balanced and fair coverage without favouring any individuals.

Shollei was making his maiden address when he was formally unveiled as the Standard Group’s new CEO to the staff, taking over the reins of leadership from Paul Melly, who will be leaving the company towards the end of the year.

Shollei assured audiences of Radio Maisha, KTN television, the Standard newspapers and Standard Digital’s online consumers of professionalism in its content and unbiased products.

“We will remain fair, balanced and objective in our reporting as we strengthen our products to compete in a rapidly changing media environment,” said Shollei.

He called on all media to be neutral, independent and report fairly during the political campaigns in the country to guard against polarising Kenyans.

He also said that media should not be seen to favour any particular candidate vying for various political positions in the forthcoming General Election.

 “We must not be seen to favour a particular candidate so as to have undue advantage over other contenders. We must adopt an independent and neutral position in our coverage at all times,” said Shollei.

Outgoing Deputy Chairman and CEO Paul Melly said he was confident that the Group’s journalists and editors would continue to report accurately to reflect the true position and facts made by aspirants.

He said that the Group had overcome many challenges in the years he worked for the Standard Group, noting that the business was now in pole position to compete with other giant media houses in the region.

 “We are no longer building the blocks or constructing the business, which was my task. We are now competitively competing in the market. We have formed a new brand of business,” said Melly.

 He challenged the company to jealously defend and safeguard its critical pillar of remaining the bold and authoritative in its coverage.

Melly said he leaves the company a proud man after leading the Group for the last eight years and building a strong financial base.

While hailing the outgoing CEO, Shollei said that he was taking over a business that has a firm foundation and expressed confidence that he joins the Standard team to collectively address the challenges facing the Group for greater output.

Shollei asked the staff to redouble their efforts, especially during the time of transition.