Buturo orders for Super re-opening
Oct 22, 2003
STATE minister for information Dr. Nsaba Butuuro yesterday overruled the Broadcasting Council and ordered that Super Fm resume broadcasting.
By Richard Komakech
STATE minister for information Dr. Nsaba Butuuro yesterday overruled the Broadcasting Council and ordered that Super Fm resume broadcasting.
The minister (right), who held an early morning meeting with the Broadcasting Council and representatives of Super FM and Radio One, however, asked the former to halt broadcasting of commentary on the English Premier league until the dispute was settled.
Super FM’s transmitter was returned in the afternoon.
Super FM owner Peter Sematimba said at a press conference at his Rubaga station, “It is unfortunate that this happens at a time when the country is trying to build media freedom and access to information,†Sematimba said.
The Council in closing the radio on Tuesday said one of its reasons was the failure of Super FM to pay license fees.
But a source said yesterday all stations had a deadline to pay outstanding dues to the council by mid-November.
The annual license fee is sh5m but Super FM owes the council sh14m, which accumulated as a result of broadcasters contesting the license fees.
Meanwhile, the Uganda Journalists Union (UJU) has condemned the act by the Broadcasting Council saying it is reminiscent of Idi Amin’s reign.
STATE minister for information Dr. Nsaba Butuuro yesterday overruled the Broadcasting Council and ordered that Super Fm resume broadcasting.
The minister (right), who held an early morning meeting with the Broadcasting Council and representatives of Super FM and Radio One, however, asked the former to halt broadcasting of commentary on the English Premier league until the dispute was settled.
Super FM’s transmitter was returned in the afternoon.
Super FM owner Peter Sematimba said at a press conference at his Rubaga station, “It is unfortunate that this happens at a time when the country is trying to build media freedom and access to information,†Sematimba said.
The Council in closing the radio on Tuesday said one of its reasons was the failure of Super FM to pay license fees.
But a source said yesterday all stations had a deadline to pay outstanding dues to the council by mid-November.
The annual license fee is sh5m but Super FM owes the council sh14m, which accumulated as a result of broadcasters contesting the license fees.
Meanwhile, the Uganda Journalists Union (UJU) has condemned the act by the Broadcasting Council saying it is reminiscent of Idi Amin’s reign.