Citizen New Anchors: Royal Media Services’ Citizen Tv has banned its news anchors from starting certain side hustles it deems as damaging to its brand.

According to a leaked internal memo, the leading television station in the country said that while it appreciated individual brands, the use of such talent for personal or corporate activities was impacting on the overall brand of the company.

“These guidelines endeavor to facilitate and promote the effective and proper use of all talents and staff within the RMS brand umbrella and who protect RMS reputation and brand. This means that common sense must be applied. A strict legal interpretation should not be used to justify accepting an advertiser or sponsor which the guidelines intended to stop,” part of the memo said.

Following the ban, journalists looking to start side hustles in events and advertisement will now be required to seek approval from the departmental heads.

The categories that have been affected include master of ceremony in events, advertising for government agencies, advertisements that deal with a controversial subject that is in the matter of public policy and advertisements that could compromise the station’s editorial policy.

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“The person from whom approval is sought will consider whether the proposal will meet the principles in these guidelines in particular in relation to the RMS impartiality and brand protection,” the memo said.

Citizen also banned its staff from appearing  in any advertising from their show or on their programme. “Any advertising that features a programme presenter or regular TV or radio artist should be clearly separated from their programmes,” the memo added.