Errant journalists should simply be taken to court
Aug 19, 2009
EDITOR—If President Museveni has not been misquoted about what he said about media houses, then journalists are in for a rough time, especially during elections! It is interesting that Museveni said the Government had a lot of evidence of the press tell
EDITOR—If President Museveni has not been misquoted about what he said about media houses, then journalists are in for a rough time, especially during elections! It is interesting that Museveni said the Government had a lot of evidence of the press telling lies.
If so, why not go to court? Why must he think of ‘new ways’ to deal with the press when the laws of Uganda are already clear about what to do? Developing countries are always trying out ideas (failed ones) that progressive nations have evolved from.
The Government has more than three radio stations, a TV station and newspapers. Is Museveni saying it is only the Government papers, radio and television the only ones telling the truth? To me, it is not unlike the case of the mother who saw an army unit marching in parade and exclaimed:
“All those boys are marching out of line except my Jimmy!†As for there not being enough time to counter the press reports, the Government has all sorts of overpaid officials to defend it. Besides, newspapers seek comments from Government officials before publishing stories. What is wrong with that?
The President’s quote, “you have been weighed and found wanting...†does not apply to journalists alone.
Paget Kintu
Kampala
If so, why not go to court? Why must he think of ‘new ways’ to deal with the press when the laws of Uganda are already clear about what to do? Developing countries are always trying out ideas (failed ones) that progressive nations have evolved from.
The Government has more than three radio stations, a TV station and newspapers. Is Museveni saying it is only the Government papers, radio and television the only ones telling the truth? To me, it is not unlike the case of the mother who saw an army unit marching in parade and exclaimed:
“All those boys are marching out of line except my Jimmy!†As for there not being enough time to counter the press reports, the Government has all sorts of overpaid officials to defend it. Besides, newspapers seek comments from Government officials before publishing stories. What is wrong with that?
The President’s quote, “you have been weighed and found wanting...†does not apply to journalists alone.
Paget Kintu
Kampala