The Media Complaints Commission (MCC) has directed Nation Media Group (NMG) to amend its controversial documentary “Holy Betrayal: Full SDA Cult Exposé” which aired on NTV on April 7, 2024, after finding that it unfairly linked the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church to religious extremism and the infamous Shakahola Massacre.
The order follows a complaint lodged by an SDA member who accused NTV of misrepresenting the church by associating it with cultic and radical beliefs. The MCC ruled that the documentary breached the Code of Conduct for the Practice of Journalism in Kenya, specifically the clauses on accuracy, fairness, and impartiality.
In a detailed ruling issued on Thursday, June 19, the Commission noted that the documentary’s “overarching narrative, sensational title and repeated unsubstantiated parallels between the SDA Church and extremist groups” were misleading and lacked factual grounding.
As a corrective measure, NTV has been ordered to publish a clear and prominent disclaimer within 14 days on all digital versions of the documentary. The disclaimer must clarify that there is no proven link between the SDA Church and extremist groups referenced in the broadcast.
However, the MCC dismissed the complainant’s request for the documentary to be permanently removed, and did not find sufficient evidence to support the claim that the broadcast had caused reputational harm to the church.
The documentary in question claimed that an offshoot of the SDA church in Nyanza discouraged formal education and healthcare, with allegations that professionals were abandoning careers due to religious indoctrination.
In response to the documentary, the SDA Church leadership strongly condemned the broadcast, describing it as demeaning, inaccurate, and produced in bad faith. The church emphasized that it adheres strictly to biblical teachings and cannot be held accountable for the actions of splinter groups or individuals who deviate from church doctrine.
“We take great exception to the assertions of connections between Shakahola and the story that largely highlighted the troubles of one family and some people who do not qualify to be called Adventists,” the SDA leadership said in an earlier statement.
The ruling by the MCC is expected to set a precedent in balancing press freedom with responsible and ethical reporting, particularly on sensitive religious matters.
