Minister, judge clash over media Bill
May 04, 2010
INFORMATION minister Kabakumba Masiko and Justice George Kanyeihamba have disagreed over the proposed amendment to the media laws.
By Jude Kafuuma
INFORMATION minister Kabakumba Masiko and Justice George Kanyeihamba have disagreed over the proposed amendment to the media laws.
Kanyeihamba, a retired Supreme Court highlighted issues of national security, economic sabotage and pornography as key areas to be considered while reviewing the Bill.
“The Government is going to proceed with the amendment of the Press and Journalists Statute to make sure that the media is fully regulated,†Kabakumba said.
Kanyeihamba, however, said the amendments were unnecessary.
“The proposed amendments must be rejected as the most unacceptable devices intended to suppress debate and progress on good governance,†he said.
He warned that if the amendments were passed into law, the country would reap evil from them.
“The role of the press in a democratic society cannot be underestimated. The press is in the front line of the battle to maintain democracy and it must act as the watchdog of the Government,†the retired judge said.
He was speaking during a consultative forum on media laws held at Serena Hotel in Kampala on Friday.
Journalists and other stakeholders were discussing the proposed amendments to the Press and Journalist Act (1995).
The Bill provides for the registration and annual licensing of newspapers, protection of national security and economy, and offences and penalties to persons who operate against the new laws.
The Bill, currently under review by the Cabinet, empowers the Media Council to control the licensing of newspapers and prohibits the media from publishing material considered to be prejudicial to national security, economic progress and Uganda’s relations with her neighbours.
Henry Maina, the director of Article-19 Eastern Africa, said Uganda had been hailed as a model for enacting the access to information law.
He said the proposed amendments would, however, reverse the gains made.
Courtney Radsch, from Freedom House, an independent organisation that supports expansion of freedom in the world, called for the creation of a policy and regulatory framework that incorporates the views of the civil society.
Dr. Peter Mwesige, the director of African Centre for Media Excellence, said: “We shall come up with resolutions in a memorandum that will be handed over to the Cabinet next week.â€
INFORMATION minister Kabakumba Masiko and Justice George Kanyeihamba have disagreed over the proposed amendment to the media laws.
Kanyeihamba, a retired Supreme Court highlighted issues of national security, economic sabotage and pornography as key areas to be considered while reviewing the Bill.
“The Government is going to proceed with the amendment of the Press and Journalists Statute to make sure that the media is fully regulated,†Kabakumba said.
Kanyeihamba, however, said the amendments were unnecessary.
“The proposed amendments must be rejected as the most unacceptable devices intended to suppress debate and progress on good governance,†he said.
He warned that if the amendments were passed into law, the country would reap evil from them.
“The role of the press in a democratic society cannot be underestimated. The press is in the front line of the battle to maintain democracy and it must act as the watchdog of the Government,†the retired judge said.
He was speaking during a consultative forum on media laws held at Serena Hotel in Kampala on Friday.
Journalists and other stakeholders were discussing the proposed amendments to the Press and Journalist Act (1995).
The Bill provides for the registration and annual licensing of newspapers, protection of national security and economy, and offences and penalties to persons who operate against the new laws.
The Bill, currently under review by the Cabinet, empowers the Media Council to control the licensing of newspapers and prohibits the media from publishing material considered to be prejudicial to national security, economic progress and Uganda’s relations with her neighbours.
Henry Maina, the director of Article-19 Eastern Africa, said Uganda had been hailed as a model for enacting the access to information law.
He said the proposed amendments would, however, reverse the gains made.
Courtney Radsch, from Freedom House, an independent organisation that supports expansion of freedom in the world, called for the creation of a policy and regulatory framework that incorporates the views of the civil society.
Dr. Peter Mwesige, the director of African Centre for Media Excellence, said: “We shall come up with resolutions in a memorandum that will be handed over to the Cabinet next week.â€