Govt explains KFM radio closure
Aug 12, 2005
THE Government has explained the indefinite closure of Kampala’s KFM radio station, saying the press in Uganda is free, but ‘free to report responsibly’.
By Cyprian Musoke & M. Nalunkuuma
THE Government has explained the indefinite closure of Kampala’s KFM radio station, saying the press in Uganda is free, but ‘free to report responsibly’.
Responding to concerns raised by Samia Bugwe MP Aggrey Awori in Parliament yesterday, the minister for general duties in the office of the Prime minister, Prof. Mondo Kagonyera, told the House that government was committed to respecting press freedom.
“I want to assure the house and the nation at large that the future of press freedom in this country is bright,†he said.
“The press is free in this country, but it is free to report responsibly,†he said, adding that media houses were not free to engage in fictitious reporting. If they want to engage in thrilling reportage, they are free to tell the public that they are only thrilling, otherwise the freedom of press is guaranteed,†Kagonyera (below) added.
He said next week, the Government would make a detailed statement about the radio’s closure.
The Broadcasting Council (BC) on Thursday indefinitely closed the station that is a subsidiary of The Monitor publications, saying it breached sections of the electronic media law.
“There is general panic since yesterday regarding the future of the freedom of the press. I was expecting a statement regarding the President’s speech on Wednesday at Kololo, and the subsequent action taken on KFM yesterday,†Awori said.
KFM officials and the Broadcasting Council were reportedly locked up in meetings yesterday.
THE Government has explained the indefinite closure of Kampala’s KFM radio station, saying the press in Uganda is free, but ‘free to report responsibly’.
Responding to concerns raised by Samia Bugwe MP Aggrey Awori in Parliament yesterday, the minister for general duties in the office of the Prime minister, Prof. Mondo Kagonyera, told the House that government was committed to respecting press freedom.
“I want to assure the house and the nation at large that the future of press freedom in this country is bright,†he said.
“The press is free in this country, but it is free to report responsibly,†he said, adding that media houses were not free to engage in fictitious reporting. If they want to engage in thrilling reportage, they are free to tell the public that they are only thrilling, otherwise the freedom of press is guaranteed,†Kagonyera (below) added.
He said next week, the Government would make a detailed statement about the radio’s closure.
The Broadcasting Council (BC) on Thursday indefinitely closed the station that is a subsidiary of The Monitor publications, saying it breached sections of the electronic media law.
“There is general panic since yesterday regarding the future of the freedom of the press. I was expecting a statement regarding the President’s speech on Wednesday at Kololo, and the subsequent action taken on KFM yesterday,†Awori said.
KFM officials and the Broadcasting Council were reportedly locked up in meetings yesterday.