Challenge Anti-Press Laws, Says Ssekandi

By Jude EtyangTHE Speaker of Parliament, Edward Ssekandi, has advised journalists to petition the Government or MPs to amend the Anti-Terrorism Bill and other anti-press laws they are not comfortable with. Speaking at the World Press Freedom Day (May 3) dinner at the Uganda International Conference Centre, Ssekandi assured journalists that the seventh Parliament was a firm and consistent ally of the media. He pledged to protect the freedom of the press.This year’s World Press Freedom Day was under the theme “Terrorism and Freedom of the Press.” Over 200 Ugandan journalists, diplomats and representatives of donor agencies attended the dinner organised by East African Media Institute (EAMI) and sponsored by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation. “I urge you to actively pursue the matter of some laws that the media is uncomfortable with, with the relevant bodies. The sedition law could be handled by the Law Review Commission,” Ssekandi said.Ends