Simba Radio fined for homos
THE Broadcasting Council (BC) has squeezed a sh1.8m fine from a popular Luganda FM, Radio Simba, as a penalty for hosting a group of homosexuals in a live talk-show.
By Jude Etyang
THE Broadcasting Council (BC) has squeezed a sh1.8m fine from a popular Luganda FM, Radio Simba, as a penalty for hosting a group of homosexuals in a live talk-show.
Radio Simba was also ordered to make a public apology, “regretting having offended a wide section of the public,†by hosting the homosexuals in the Olutindo programme on August 26.
Council chairman Godfrey Mutabazi said in a ruling that the programme was in breach of the minimum broadcasting standards, as enshrined in section 8 of the Electronic Media Act.
“The programme hosted on 26 August 2004 on radio Simba is contrary to public morality and is not in compliance with the existing law,†the council’s chairman Godfrey Mutabazi said in a ruling where the penalty is contained.
Mutabazi said the Electronic Media Act prohibited broadcasting matters that are contrary to public morality and matters that are not in compliance with the existing law.
Mutabazi said homosexuality was illegal in Uganda under section 145 of the Penal Code Act.
The council also found that the programme producer, Joshua Kyalimpa, was not registered with the media council as required by the Electronic Media Act.
It said Radio Simba should employ qualified producers, registered by the media council.
The apology, drafted by the broadcasting council, is supposed to be aired on the station for two days after every news bulletin and published in the New Vision, the Monitor and Bukedde newspapers.
“They (Simba) brought the cheque this morning. But other broadcasters should take heed of the broadcasting regulations and be more responsible about the content of their programmes,†the Council’s operations officer, Dennis T. Lukaya, said on Wednesday.
He said the council was concerned about the increase in explicit content in public broadcasts of Ugandan media.
The Council whip on Simba was moved by a complaint by former state for internal affairs minister Sarah Kiyingi and others who protested that the hosting of homosexuals on radio undermined morals.
The council carried a hearing, in which Kyalimpa and presenter Peter Kibazo presented their case. Kibazo said that his guests were protesting against discrimination over their sexual orientation.
Ends
THE Broadcasting Council (BC) has squeezed a sh1.8m fine from a popular Luganda FM, Radio Simba, as a penalty for hosting a group of homosexuals in a live talk-show.
Radio Simba was also ordered to make a public apology, “regretting having offended a wide section of the public,†by hosting the homosexuals in the Olutindo programme on August 26.
Council chairman Godfrey Mutabazi said in a ruling that the programme was in breach of the minimum broadcasting standards, as enshrined in section 8 of the Electronic Media Act.
“The programme hosted on 26 August 2004 on radio Simba is contrary to public morality and is not in compliance with the existing law,†the council’s chairman Godfrey Mutabazi said in a ruling where the penalty is contained.
Mutabazi said the Electronic Media Act prohibited broadcasting matters that are contrary to public morality and matters that are not in compliance with the existing law.
Mutabazi said homosexuality was illegal in Uganda under section 145 of the Penal Code Act.
The council also found that the programme producer, Joshua Kyalimpa, was not registered with the media council as required by the Electronic Media Act.
It said Radio Simba should employ qualified producers, registered by the media council.
The apology, drafted by the broadcasting council, is supposed to be aired on the station for two days after every news bulletin and published in the New Vision, the Monitor and Bukedde newspapers.
“They (Simba) brought the cheque this morning. But other broadcasters should take heed of the broadcasting regulations and be more responsible about the content of their programmes,†the Council’s operations officer, Dennis T. Lukaya, said on Wednesday.
He said the council was concerned about the increase in explicit content in public broadcasts of Ugandan media.
The Council whip on Simba was moved by a complaint by former state for internal affairs minister Sarah Kiyingi and others who protested that the hosting of homosexuals on radio undermined morals.
The council carried a hearing, in which Kyalimpa and presenter Peter Kibazo presented their case. Kibazo said that his guests were protesting against discrimination over their sexual orientation.
Ends