Museveni urges media on transformation

May 30, 2010

PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has urged media houses in Africa to define and play their role in the socio-economic transformation of the continent.

By Vision Reporter

PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has urged media houses in Africa to define and play their role in the socio-economic transformation of the continent.

He argued that information is a very vital resource in the transformation of society.

The President made the remarks at the CNN Multi-Choice Africa Journalists Awards 2010 hosted at the Kampala Serena Conference Centre on Saturday.

He called upon media stakeholders to interest themselves in the socio-economic transformation struggle of Africa.

The guests at the event comprised media houses and key players in the media industry from around Africa.

According to a release from State House, the President said the media should focus more on development.

He also said reporting on ways of curbing corruption was important because the vice is a roadblock to development.

He, however, added that such reports should educate people on how to improve their lives, increase their wealth and preserve it for the future generations.

The President called on journalists to be patriotic, noting that although guaranteed and available abundantly in Uganda, press freedom has been abused in most cases.

He suggested an annual award for the most patriotic journalist in Africa.

Museveni pledged the Government’s commitment to upholding press freedom, but called for responsible reporting for the better management of society.

He also asked the stakeholders in the media industry not to misinterpret the 2010 Media Amendment Bill but instead voice their views through dialogue with the relevant government institutions.

Museveni also urged media houses to give good remuneration to journalists.

He argued that poor pay yields poor journalism and most times leads journalists to unprofessional conduct.

He commended the CNN and Multi-Choice for choosing Kampala to host the event, adding that Uganda was the first country in Africa to liberalise the media, being host to over 200 radio and 25 television stations.

This year’s winners in different categories included reporting on tourism, sports, photo journalism, television, radio, HIV/AIDS, television features, print and culture from 42 African countries.

Sam Rogers from South Africa-based ETV scooped this year’s best journalist accolade after fielding the best television feature story on the plight of albinos in Tanzania.

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