National Bank of Kenya seeks intervention from ICT Ministry and CBK on the increase of rogue bloggers

National Bank of Kenya (NBK) has written to the banking industry regulator Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) and government through the cabinet Secretary for ICT seeking their intervention in dealing with increasing cases of rogue bloggers.

The bank, which in the final phase of a major transformation program, confirmed that it had become the latest victim of irresponsible blogging.

The Bank is particularly concerned by a case of a rogue social media user who has continued to spread malicious and untruthful information about banks and other companies, in alleged extortion scams. Additionally, the Bank has written to the Media Council for verification of the blogger’s identity and to check if the council has jurisdiction over blogging.

“They start with several threats to publish certain falsehoods. If you do not respond worried, they then publish the first of the malicious articles- without any request for an official response. If the company still does not respond to their threats, they publish another one and continue the cycle of threats. Unlike the media houses who always seek the correct position and clarifications from institutions, rogue bloggers remain a great risk for reputation- sensitive institutions like banks,” said Bernardette Ngara, Marketing Director at National Bank of Kenya.

In Kenya, irresponsible blogging continues to be a major concern for reputation- sensitive institutions like banks.

The Bank is advocating for policy level intervention and state punishment of any blogger masquerading as a journalist.  Unlike in journalism, bloggers do not subscribe to a code of ethics. They also do not have requirement for formal education or certification in journalism.

National Bank of Kenya is in support of legislation that promotes responsible blogging while punishing abuse of freedom of expression and extortion by elements practicing irresponsible blogging.

The Bank will further seek the support of the industry lobby and companies affected by vice recently for their contribution towards finding a lasting solution to the problem.

“We have requested the intervention of the regulator and government because this kind of unethical practices by social media users cannot be tolerated. NBK supports responsible blogging,” said Ms Ngara. National Bank of Kenya added it has maintained a policy to respond to information requests from journalists which has earned the support of media and helped the public better understand the transformation program at the bank.