Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has recently stirred up a heated debate with his comments about CNN journalist Larry Madowo’s reporting methods.
Cherargei, who is no stranger to making bold statements, took to social media to question Madowo’s approach to covering the conflict in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
In his post, Cherargei asked, “Where is Larry Madowo of CNN? Why is he using TikTok videos to report about the Goma, DRC conflict instead of reporting live from Goma?”
This criticism quickly caught the attention of many, sparking a broader conversation about how journalists should cover major global events.
Cherargei’s remarks highlighted a concern that Madowo, a well-known and experienced journalist, was relying on short TikTok clips rather than being physically present in Goma to report live from the conflict zone.
The senator didn’t hold back in his critique, suggesting that Madowo’s approach might reflect a double standard. Cherargei pointed out that if the situation involved protests or demonstrations against the Kenyan government, Madowo would likely be on the ground in Nairobi, reporting live.
“But if it was demonstrations against the Kenyan government, he would even cut short other assignments or his holidays to report live from Nairobi,” Cherargei stated.
This comparison added fuel to the fire, with many people taking sides on social media. Some agreed with Cherargei, arguing that traditional, on-the-ground reporting is essential for providing accurate and in-depth coverage of serious issues like the DRC conflict.
Others, however, defended Madowo’s use of TikTok, seeing it as a modern and innovative way to share real-time updates and engage with a younger, tech-savvy audience.
Larry Madowo, who has built a reputation for his bold and engaging style of journalism, has not yet responded to Cherargei’s comments.
However, this isn’t the first time Madowo has used social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram to report on global events.
In the past, he has leveraged these platforms to offer a more personal and interactive perspective on stories, often connecting with audiences in ways that traditional reporting might not.
His use of TikTok to cover the DRC conflict is part of a growing trend where journalists are experimenting with new formats to reach wider audiences and adapt to the changing media world and the safety considering volatile situation in DRC.
