Train all DJs, Basoga orders

By Solomon MuyitaINFORMATION minister Basoga Nsadhu has proposed compulsory training in media studies for all radio and television presenters, popularly known as disc jockeys (DJs).Basoga, who said the DJs were infringing on the journalism profession without prior training, ordered the National Institute of Journalists of Uganda (NIJU) to register all presenters.He said this in a meeting with NIJU executive led by it’s president Linda Nabusaayi and the deputy Okello Jabweli last week.They discussed a number of issues affecting the operation and performance of the media.“What are DJs doing in our profession. Register all DJs. All of them will go to school for at least a diploma if they are to stay. It’s not all about having a good voice and cracking jokes on air. We need to establish some order in our industry,” he said.“My seven-year-old son has a good voice. Can he also be employed as a DJ by one of the radio stations and he starts attacking everyone like a trained journalist? This is chaos in the profession! Do DJs have a professional code of ethics to follow? We need to hold people accountable for their actions,” Basoga said. He said a minimum qualification for a journalist should be a degree.Ends