Civil Society wants mandatory registration of journalists

Mar 27, 2017

He made the call over the weekend during the Pan-African conference on freedom of expression and access to information in Kampala organized by African Union (AU) in partnership with European Union (EU).

 

Several journalists' activists worldwide including John Oprong the general secretary of Uganda Media Union (UMU) have called for a mandatory registration of journalist in trade unions.

He made the call over the weekend during the Pan-African conference on freedom of expression and access to information in Kampala organized by African Union (AU) in partnership with European Union (EU).

Oprong explained that trade unions will help champion for journalists' rights and develop a joint voice in improving the working condition, improved salaries, and arbitrations in times of trouble.

"Journalists especially in Uganda don't want to join trade unions, some run to us while facing challenges yet they are not members of the trade union something that need to be mandatory," Oprong noted.

Several journalists notably Andrew Lwanga a former WBS television reporter sustained injuries after he was beaten by a Kampala senior police officer while on duty on January 12, 2015.

He sustained several injuries when Old Kampala District Police Commander Joram Mwesigye attacked him as he covered a demonstration by unemployed youth.

Oprong believes that such incidences of brutality would be brought to book and culprits convicted according to law if all journalists register with trade unions.

He also noted that this would enable the country to establish the number of journalists in Uganda adding: "We don't know who is who in the media today; this explains why we have masqueraders among journalist reporting inaccurately."

Article 40 of the constitution and the Labour Union Act (2006) recommend all workers to join a trade union of their choice, however the later allows one to joining or not.

UMU is affiliated to the National Organisation of Trade Unions (NOTU) an umbrella body that fight for privileges of workers in the country and improving for the stands and working conditions of employees.

According to Oprong, UMU recommends a monthly contribution by journalists to the trade union to enable the institution run its activities.

"We only recommend 1 percent of your salary monthly contribution to the trade union, this aids in lodging cases in courts of law and arbitration in times of trouble," he said.

Henry Maina the director, Article 19 Eastern Africa in Kenya supported Oprong adding that journalists in Africa lack a common voice for their grievances attributing it to incompetence of journalistic trade unions.

Maina also recommended that cyber laws limiting its usage and freedom expression should be banned adding that governments in Africa are using cyber laws to intimidate journalists and people.

He added: "There have been 24 internet shutdowns by governments across the globe in the space of three years over unclear circumstances aimed at frustrating journalists while reporting in disguise of cyber laws, there should be an end to this."

According to African Union report 2016, only 26% 0f 1.216 billion Africans have access to internet compared to 46% population of the rest of world.

He however called for data regulatory framework to control its missuses noting that false and inoculate reporting need to be curbed.

Alfred Taban from South Sudan urged that all internet regulations should be banned adding that mainstream media has been threaten by governments hence resorting to online journalism which is a fast and ease way of disseminating information.

He said: "We should instead adopt a code of ethics in regard to governing online journalism other than regulations. Online code of ethics should be drawn by media organizations than governments because utilize the chance to limit its usage."

Jean-Louis Ville the acting director for human development and migration at EU commission in Uganda noted that several reports have showed arrest, torture and imprisonment without trial against journalists hence calling for solution.

 

 

 

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