TV news anchors resign on air

A pair of local TV news anchors had a surprise for viewers at the end of their 6 p.m. newscast on Tuesday: They're quitting.

Cindy Michaels and Tony Consiglio, anchors for ABC's WVII affiliate in Bangor, Maine, announced their joint resignations, citing a dispute with management over journalistic practices.

"And finally tonight, this will be Tony and my final show together right here on ABC 7," Michaels told viewers. "The last six years have been an interesting and enjoyable time for us as we have been the longest-running news team in Bangor."

"On behalf of Cindy and me, we have loved every moment bringing the news to you," Consiglio said. "Some recent developments have come to our attention, though, and departing together is the best alternative."

The duo did not elaborate for viewers, but they did for the local newspaper.

"There was a constant disrespecting and belittling of staff," Michaels told the Bangor Daily News. "We both felt there was a lack of knowledge from ownership and upper management in running a newsroom to the extent that I was not allowed to structure and direct them professionally. I couldn't do everything I wanted to as a news director. There was a regular undoing of decisions."

  

TV news reporter's signoff goes viral—four years later]

"It's a culmination of ongoing occurrences that took place the last several years and basically involved upper-management practices that we both strongly disagreed with," she continued. "It's a little complicated, but we were expected to do somewhat unbalanced news, politically, in general."

The station's management dismissed Michaels' claims.

"Upper management is not involved in the daily production of the news, period," Mike Palmer, WVII vice president and general manager, told the paper. "We've made great changes over the last few months and are not slowing down. Over the last 15 to 18 months, we've been a raging locomotive of change."

Palmer also told the Associated Press that the pair "were on their way out, anyway," and that "sometimes people leave their jobs before they're asked to leave."

Michaels, 46, said she will remain in Bangor to pursue a writing career and work on a novel, while Consiglio, 28, will continue his career "in another capacity."

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Amend Marriage Bill, Says Bishop

A church leader has cautioned Parliament against passing the come-we-stay marriage bill, saying it could have serious implications families.
Bishop Thomas Kakala of the Jesus Care Centre Ministries in Malindi said if the bill is passed into law, women will take advantage of it to oppress men.
According to the bill, any man in a come-we-stay relationship for six months shall be automatically be regarded as legally married. The bill also empowers chiefs to register all come-we-stay relationships in their areas.
Addressing a press conference at the JCC Church in Malindi, Kakala said: "If the bill becomes law, all high school, colleges and universities students who in relationship shall be forced to get married even before graduating."
"This bill should be amended because it is taking the country backwards," he said. He said MPs could also easily fall victim to the new law as it would not spare anyone once it is passed. He appealed to religious leaders to fight against the bill.
Kakala, who is also the chair of Malindi Pastors Association, said: "Parliamentarians should be careful because many relationships might be turned into a hit-and-run game as those involved try to avoid falling into the trap.
The bill was cleared by the Cabinet last Thursday has elicited mixed reactions. Some said it will stop men from dumping women at will. Others claimed women will use it to trick men into marrying them.

Councillor, Four Chiefs in Court Over Baragoi Killings

A councillor and four chiefs were on Wednesday arraigned before a Mararal court and charged with violent robbery, which led to the deaths of at least 42 police officers at Baragoi in Samburu County.
The five all denied the charges of robbery with violence and were remanded until November 26 to allow police conclude investigation into the incident.
Lachola ward councillor Lawrence Lorunyei, chiefs Jeremiah Ekurao, Amojong Lothuru, Christopher Epul, and Ewoi Losike all denied the charges before principal magistrate Charles Ndegwa.
According to the prosecution led by Inspector John Mugo, the five faced 12 charges of robbery with violence after stealing 12 G3 rifles.
According to the prosecution, the suspects with others not before the court committed the offence at Suguta valley in Samburu on Saturday November 10 where police officers who were pursuing cattle rustlers were ambushed and killed.
The prosecution however pleaded with the court not to release the suspects terming the offence as serious, given the number of police officers who lost their lives during the incident.
He said that over 400 heads of cattle were stolen leading to a pursuit by the officers who lost their lives while trying to recover them.
Meanwhile, troops of the Kenya Defence Forces, Anti Stock Theft Unit (ASTU), Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU) and several other units of security personnel started travelling to the volatile Baragoi area barely a day after President Mwai Kibaki's directive to pursue the killers and restore calm in the area.
The troops travelling in military trucks were spotted on the Nyahururu-Mararal road.
Area residents welcomed the move and urged the disarmament exercise to be extended in other neighbouring regions.
Laikipia Peace Caravan chairman Joseph Githinji said that the exercise should also be carried out in Baringo, Isiolo and Laikipia region to end rampant cases of cattle rustling.
"We thank the president for the directive and call upon the exercise to be carried out in all other areas where cases of cattle rustling are rampant. We want an end to this crime once and for all," he said.

Meru University of Science and Technology Suspends Student for Social Media Criticism

A university student at Meru University College of Science and Technology is currently serving a one year suspension for making complaints against the college on Twitter. Cyprian Nyakundi showed CIO East Africa documents from the university asking him to appear before a disciplinary committee for "tarnishing the name of the University on social media".
Nyakundi is in the second semester of his second year of a B. Sc Actuarial Science undergraduate degree.
The committee found him guilty of "tarnishing the university image through social media". It then recommended for Nyakundi to be suspended for one year and resume studies in May 2013, and that he be issued with a warning letter.
In a letter sent to Nyakundi from the University's Deputy Principal, Nyakundi is found "guilty as charged". The committee decided that to discourage such occurrences in the future, you are sternly warned to refrain from such behaviour. If you continue, further disciplinary measures will be taken against you."
Dennis Itumbi broke the story early October on his blog (http://www.dennisitumbi.com/?p=643) and lists the updates that got Nyakundi suspended as the below:
1. "There are no enough chairs and we have to carry chairs (from block) AA to the workshop (which is too far)"
2. " At the Cafeteria, students scrum for food because the population of admission compared to resources budgeted is too high"
3. "The road from the University to the Nchiru town, which is the nearest is very dusty"
4. "The Library is not updated and the books are outdated, with no infusion of books that address modern challenges of the professions we are being ready for in class"
5. "The Deputy Principal Academics should get serious with his work and the Dean should wake up and address our concerns and the Principal should watch out and be keen on Student Affairs"
Addressing a Social Media gathering at the University of Nairobi, Kenya's Permanent Minister in the Ministry of Information and Communication came across Nyakundi's case. " I promised to deal with the issue if the student did not infringe on anybody's rights. Later I spoke to the PS Higher Education and former Vice Chancellor at the University of Nairobi. Recalling that we dealt with many of such issues while we were at the University, Prof. Kiamba promised to look at the matter. I set up the appointment for the student to meet with the PS. They met and the student is to check on Monday (2 weeks ago) if his case has been sorted out. I am optimistic that he will get back to his studies."
Nyakundi says that he is yet to hear from the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Higher Education, Professor Crispus Kiamba. He however remains optimistic that his case will be concluded to his advantage and that he will be allowed to resume his studies.

MILITARY DEPLOYED IN SAMBURU COUNTY AFTER POLICE BRATAL KILLINGS

The National Security Council chaired by President Mwai Kibaki has ordered the deployment of the Kenyan Military to flush out bandits who killed police officers and stole their arms.
A statement issued from the Office of the President on Tuesday night said the council had "authorised the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to be deployed in Samburu County and other areas to provide support to Kenya Police Service in apprehending the bandits and recovering stolen animals and arms."
The council meeting which made the resolution was also attended by Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka.
Under the constitution, the national Security Council also comprises of the Ministers for Defence, Foreign Affairs, Internal Security, the Attorney General, Chief of Defence Forces, the Director of the National Intelligence Services and the Police Chief.
"The National Security Council regretted and condemned the heinous act of killing law enforcement officers," the statement said, adding "The National Security Council directed all national security organs to liaise closely in restoring peace and security in the area."
"The Council also directed the fast tracking of peace, reconciliation and disarmament exercises in all the affected areas countrywide," it added.
The Council also sought to re-assure the public that "everything will be done to ensure the culprits are apprehended and dealt with in accordance with the law."
The directive by the council followed the killing of police officers who were ambushed in Suguta Valley, Samburu County on Saturday as they pursued stolen animals.
Police Commissioner Mathew Iteere told journalists earlier on Tuesday that the officers were ambushed as they headed for a security operation to flush out bandits and recover animals they had stolen from manyattas in Samburu.
"The operational strategy was okay, but it is unfortunate because they were ambushed two kilometers from the manyatta they were headed to recover the animals. It appears the strategy leaked to the bandits," Iteere said.
Some civil society organizations led by the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) have called for Iteere's resignation, but he has vowed to stay put.
"I am not to blame; the nitty gritty of the operation strategy are left to the commanders on the ground. Those calling for my resignation are exercising their constitutional right. They are entitled to their opinion," he said.

The BBC's director of news, Helen Boaden, and her deputy Steve Mitchell sacked

Helen Boaden and Steve Mitchell have long careers at the BBC

Continue reading the main story

Crisis at the BBC

• MPs criticise BBC over DG payment
• Live: BBC in crisisLive
• Profile: Helen Boaden
• Profile: Stephen Mitchell

they have been asked to "step aside" pending the outcome of an internal review.

It comes after director general George Entwistle quit on Saturday.

A single management was being re-established to deal with all output "to address the lack of clarity around the editorial chain of command".

The staff changes come about after Newsnight investigations into abuse.

Mr Entwistle resigned after a Newsnight report led to former Tory treasurer, Lord McAlpine, being wrongly accused of child abuse in north Wales in the 1980s.

A report was commissioned by Mr Entwistle after Newsnight unreservedly apologised on Friday for the programme.

Neither Ms Boaden or Mr Mitchell were in the decision-making chain that led to Newsnight's north Wales abuse broadcast.

They had removed themselves from decision making on some areas of BBC News output while a separate inquiry, by former head of Sky News Nick Pollard, was held into a decision to shelve an earlier Newsnight investigation into abuse claims against former BBC presenter Jimmy Savile.

Disciplinary action

Ken MacQuarrie, director of BBC Scotland, in his report on the north Wales broadcast said: "To address the lack of clarity around the editorial chain of command, a decision has been taken to re-establish a single management to deal with all output, Savile related or otherwise."

"Helen Boaden has decided that she is not in a position to undertake this responsibility until the Pollard review has concluded."

Disciplinary action could be taken if appropriate.

Ms Boaden was director of BBC News and Mr Entwistle was director of BBC Vision at the time of the decision not to broadcast the Savile allegations late last year.

She has overall editorial and managerial responsibility for UK-wide and global news and current affairs on radio, television and online.

Mr Entwistle said the pair had a brief discussion about the Newsnight Savile investigation but he did not ask Ms Boaden for further details, he told MPs during an appearance.

Temporary heads

Ms Boaden and Mr Mitchell have been asked to surrender all their responsibilities as head and deputy head of BBC News, pending the results of the Pollard inquiry.

Fran Unsworth, head of newsgathering, and Ceri Thomas, editor of BBC's Radio 4 Today programme have been asked to fill their respective roles, for the time being.

The acting director general of the BBC, Tim Davie, and the chairman of the BBC Trust, Lord Patten, have concluded that BBC News needs a new clear line of management control, BBC business editor Robert Peston reported.

Mr Davie and Lord Patten are understood to believe that Ms Boaden's and Mr Mitchell's decision to withdraw from all decision-making on the way the BBC reports the Jimmy Savile scandal has created confusion at BBC News about who is in charge, our correspondent added.

Peston said he had learned that lawyers acting for Ms Boaden and Mr Mitchell have informed Mr Davie that they are quite capable of running BBC News, even with the uncertainty created by the Pollard inquiry.

Chain of command

Meanwhile, more details have emerged about the decision-making process behind Newsnight's care home story.

The controller of Radio 5 live, Adrian Van Klaveren, was in overall charge of the investigation, and he reported to a member of the BBC's management board, the BBC Northern Ireland controller Peter Johnston.

BBC broadcaster David Dimbleby said Mr Entwistle was not the suited to the job.

"The fact he chose to resign rather than fight showed he wasn't actually the right choice for director general, admirable man though he may be.

"If you're going to be the DG you've got to fight for the organisation, and you've got to fight for the many people who work for it - who you and I know are often underpaid, hard pressed, and baffled and confused by the management above them."

BBC news executives ‘step aside’

The BBC’s director of news, Helen Boaden, and her deputy have “stepped aside” pending the outcome of an internal review.
The move by Ms Boaden and Steve Mitchell comes after director general George Entwistle quit on Saturday.

The BBC said it was not commenting yet, but there will be an announcement within hours.

Mr Entwistle resigned after a Newsnight report led to a former Tory treasurer being wrongly accused of child abuse.

BBC boss resigns

He had also commissioned two inquiries into an earlier Newsnight decision not to broadcast a report on allegations of abuse by former BBC presenter Jimmy Savile. The DJ died last year and tribute programmes were aired over the Christmas and New Year period.
Clear line of control

Ms Boaden was director of BBC News and Mr Entwistle was director of BBC Vision at the time of the decision not to broadcast the Savile allegations late last year.

Mr Entwistle said the pair had a brief discussion about the Newsnight investigation but he did not ask Ms Boaden for further details, he told MPs during an appearance.

One of the inquiries into the Newsnight Savile report is being headed by former Sky News head Nick Pollard. He is looking into why the six-week investigation was shelved.

Ms Boaden and Mr Mitchell have been asked to surrender all their responsibilities as head and deputy head of BBC News, pending the results of the Pollard inquiry.

Ms Boaden has overall editorial and managerial responsibility for UK-wide and global news and current affairs on radio, television and online.

Fran Unsworth, head of newsgathering, and Ceri Thomas, editor of BBC’s Radio 4 Today programme have been asked to fill their respective roles, for the time being.

The acting director general of the BBC, Tim Davie, and the chairman of the BBC Trust, Lord Patten, have concluded that BBC News needs a new clear line of management control, BBC business editor Robert Peston reported.

Mr Davie and Lord Patten are understood to believe that Ms Boaden’s and Mr Mitchell’s decision to withdraw from all decision-making on the way the BBC reports the Jimmy Savile scandal has created confusion at BBC News about who is in charge, our correspondent added.

He said the decision to ask Ms Boaden and Mr Mitchell to stand aside would have been rooted in the results of this weekend’s investigation into a later journalistic mistake by Newsnight, it broadcast 10 days ago of allegations that a senior Tory was involved in child abuse.

However neither Ms Boaden or Mr Mitchell were in the decision-making chain that led to Newsnight’s broadcast.

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