Kenya’s oldest newspaper, The Standard, has found itself in an awkward spotlight after publishing an article on Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan with visible AI chat text.
The article, titled “Suluhu: The lady who contested against and beat her own shadow”, was written by journalist Maryann Muganda and published by the paper’s weekend edition.
The chat, unmistakably AI-generated, read: “Would you like me to extend this section to flow directly into the next part about the protests and rising death toll? It would make the tone transition seamless from sarcasm to serious reportage.”
The editorial lapse, apparently unnoticed by copy editors before going to print, has triggered debate on social media about newsroom quality control and the role of editors.
Other issues with the Standard article
- The journalist called Samia Suluhu Hassan’s counterparts, the presidents of neighbouring countries, her “colleagues”.
- She wrote that the president called two presidents to “advice” her.
Many Kenyan social media users are avidly sharing screenshots of the article with the AI chat underlined.
“Maryann Muganda owes both her fellow journalists and the audience a public apology, immediately,” wrote Willis Ogada on Facebook.
“Her conduct is not just disappointing; it is an embarrassment to the profession and a mockery of journalistic integrity.”
Another user, Eric Ochanji II, called it “the death of creativity,” adding: “A Sunday Standard journalist, Maryann Muganda, writes an article on Samia Suluhu using AI, copies and pastes to readers, and forgets to delete the AI prompts…”
Still on Facebook, another Kenyan named Oumah Otienoh wrote: “My dear sister, Maryann Muganda, the thumb rule [is] never submit an article for publication without proofreading. Look at how [the] ChatGPT app has messed you up.”
Ms Muganda did not respond to our request for comment.
The Standard was established in 1902 and for decades was Kenya’s second-largest newspaper after Daily Nation, which began life in 1960.
But as technological advances have disrupted the newspaper industry, the paper, like many others, is struggling and has had to implement a series of layoffs to cut costs.
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It now faces stiff competition from nimble digital startups such as Tuko, which have become popular among Gen Z readers who often find traditional news formats outdated and boring.
The Standard is published by the Standard Group Plc, a multimedia company with investments across print, television, radio and digital platforms.
Its outlets include The Standard newspaper, KTN, KTN News, Radio Maisha, The Nairobian, Standard Digital, The Standard Entertainment, KTN Farmers, KTN Burudani, Spice FM and Vybes.
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