Whose interest does the media serve?

May 13, 2009

While it is visible that Uganda has improved in press freedom rankings, some journalists are abusing this freedom by giving the public their opinion of what is happening rather than relaying the facts.

Belinda Were

While it is visible that Uganda has improved in press freedom rankings, some journalists are abusing this freedom by giving the public their opinion of what is happening rather than relaying the facts.

Because the media serve as a primary source of information for most of the population, it is their responsibility to ensure that what they relay is accurate to avoid throwing the public into a state of panic.

It is a blow to professionalism when you buy a magazine or newspaper and all you read are unfounded lies about the Government, most of which lack the side of the party discussed and are, therefore, not objective.

Today, a sick finger of a public personality hits headlines but little is said about developmental issues.

The Press and Journalist Statute of 1995 created the National Institute of Journalists of Uganda to which all practising journalists are required to belong. The aim is to establish and maintain professional standards and to enable journalists to play their role in society, among others.

A full member of the institute is required to be a holder of a university degree in journalism or mass communication. Alternatively, a person may be a full member if he or she has a university degree in any other field plus a qualification in journalism or mass communication and has practised journalism for at least one year.

The statute also specifies the penalty for non-compliance but nonetheless, many journalists practise without these certifications and the profession is easily penetrated by quacks. The battle remains in our hands: How do we fight this? Mainstream journalists are no longer educated, informative or investigative reporters, but rather actors hired to deliver pre-approved scripts.

It is crucial that Uganda’s media play their role by highlighting issues that improve people’s welfare and increase the level of public debate. The access to information act is in place to balance between the Government and the press and to assist the press to play their role as watchdogs.

We need to clean up the trade otherwise, we are doing a disservice to our nation.
The writer is the media liaison officer, Uganda Media Centre

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