Do not harass journalists
Sep 07, 2010
ANOTHER journalist has been beaten up by city tycoon Hassan Basajjabalaba. This happened while the photojournalist, Arthur Kintu, was on duty at the National Resistance Movement (NRM) conference for special organs in Namboole on Monday.
ANOTHER journalist has been beaten up by city tycoon Hassan Basajjabalaba. This happened while the photojournalist, Arthur Kintu, was on duty at the National Resistance Movement (NRM) conference for special organs in Namboole on Monday.
Despite having accreditation to cover the event, Basajjabalaba demanded to know who had authorised the photojournalist to take his picture. He slapped and then punched Kintu in the mouth. This is not only an assault on an individual, but the whole of New Vision and the entire media fraternity. This is the third time, on the record that Basajjabalaba is punching journalists on duty.
For a person who had just been elected chairperson of the League of Entrepreneurs, such behaviour is not only unacceptable for a leader but should also be condemned in the strongest terms possible by the NRM. There was neither provocation nor any reason to warrant that kind of reaction.
Unfortunately, the city tycoon is not alone in perpetuating such despicable acts against journalists. The other day it was Juuko Kasiita, a deputy RDC in Kanungu, slapping Dismus Buregyeya, yet another New Vision journalist. This must come to an end. While the law should be allowed to take its course in these and other incidents, the NRM government should rein in errant members and officials.
When the NRM came to power in 1986, it guaranteed freedom of speech and that right is enshrined in our Constitution. The media is the fourth estate because of the presumption that it acts in public interest in holding leaders accountable.
The media, therefore, plays a crucial role in furthering democracy and the rights of journalists must be guaranteed by the Government and respected by the public.
Unless the Government and the NRM come out strongly to condemn these actions we are yet to witness more similar incidents as we go into the 2011 elections.
The media are society’s watchdogs. A free media, freedom of expression are essential for a free and fair election and to and to a democracy.
Despite having accreditation to cover the event, Basajjabalaba demanded to know who had authorised the photojournalist to take his picture. He slapped and then punched Kintu in the mouth. This is not only an assault on an individual, but the whole of New Vision and the entire media fraternity. This is the third time, on the record that Basajjabalaba is punching journalists on duty.
For a person who had just been elected chairperson of the League of Entrepreneurs, such behaviour is not only unacceptable for a leader but should also be condemned in the strongest terms possible by the NRM. There was neither provocation nor any reason to warrant that kind of reaction.
Unfortunately, the city tycoon is not alone in perpetuating such despicable acts against journalists. The other day it was Juuko Kasiita, a deputy RDC in Kanungu, slapping Dismus Buregyeya, yet another New Vision journalist. This must come to an end. While the law should be allowed to take its course in these and other incidents, the NRM government should rein in errant members and officials.
When the NRM came to power in 1986, it guaranteed freedom of speech and that right is enshrined in our Constitution. The media is the fourth estate because of the presumption that it acts in public interest in holding leaders accountable.
The media, therefore, plays a crucial role in furthering democracy and the rights of journalists must be guaranteed by the Government and respected by the public.
Unless the Government and the NRM come out strongly to condemn these actions we are yet to witness more similar incidents as we go into the 2011 elections.
The media are society’s watchdogs. A free media, freedom of expression are essential for a free and fair election and to and to a democracy.