UN official criticises proposed media Bill
Apr 29, 2010
A top United Nations official has criticised the proposed media Bill, saying it will suppress media freedom.
By Jeff Lule
A top United Nations official has criticised the proposed media Bill, saying it will suppress media freedom.
Margaret Sekaggya, the special rapporteur on human rights defenders, said the Bill will affect media operations.
She cited the proposed annual licensing of journalists and media houses, saying it might affect the quality of reporting.
Sekaggya was addressing journalists at the Uganda Journalists Association offices in Kampala yesterday.
Sekaggya, also the director of the Human Rights Centre Uganda, said journalists need protection and a conducive environment in which to work to report objectively.
She cited other laws like the Anti-Terrorism Act, sedition and the proposed phone tapping Bill, saying they will impact negatively on the way journalists work.
Under the proposed Press and Journalist Bill 2010, the Media Council will have powers to revoke a licence of a newspaper if it is considered to have published content that endangers national security, stability and unity.
Sekajja said media regulations are important, but need a more independent regulatory body.
She noted that licences should only be revoked after a review process.
“It will be very unfortunate if our legislators just go ahead and pass such laws restricting media freedom,†Sekaggya warned.
She revealed that she had discussed the matter with the parliamentary legal affairs committee.
“I presented these matters to the legal affairs committee. They are ready to engage with the media. They urged journalists to arrange meetings to discuss the proposals,†she added.
Sekaggya appealed to the Government to consult stakeholders before enacting the laws, adding that laws should be passed in good faith and after scrutiny.
“This is a law concerning human rights. The press is the fourth arm of the state. They are human rights defenders and informers which no government can work in isolation of,†she noted.
The secretary general of the Uganda Journalists Association, Joshua Kyalimpa, said they had formed a body, Article 29 Coalition; to spearhead journalists’ fight for freedom of expression.
He added that they would hold a procession through Kampala city on the World Press Freedom Day on May 3.
The chairman of the coalition, Dr. George Lugalambi, stressed that access to information is still a problem, despite being the basis for credible reporting.
A top United Nations official has criticised the proposed media Bill, saying it will suppress media freedom.
Margaret Sekaggya, the special rapporteur on human rights defenders, said the Bill will affect media operations.
She cited the proposed annual licensing of journalists and media houses, saying it might affect the quality of reporting.
Sekaggya was addressing journalists at the Uganda Journalists Association offices in Kampala yesterday.
Sekaggya, also the director of the Human Rights Centre Uganda, said journalists need protection and a conducive environment in which to work to report objectively.
She cited other laws like the Anti-Terrorism Act, sedition and the proposed phone tapping Bill, saying they will impact negatively on the way journalists work.
Under the proposed Press and Journalist Bill 2010, the Media Council will have powers to revoke a licence of a newspaper if it is considered to have published content that endangers national security, stability and unity.
Sekajja said media regulations are important, but need a more independent regulatory body.
She noted that licences should only be revoked after a review process.
“It will be very unfortunate if our legislators just go ahead and pass such laws restricting media freedom,†Sekaggya warned.
She revealed that she had discussed the matter with the parliamentary legal affairs committee.
“I presented these matters to the legal affairs committee. They are ready to engage with the media. They urged journalists to arrange meetings to discuss the proposals,†she added.
Sekaggya appealed to the Government to consult stakeholders before enacting the laws, adding that laws should be passed in good faith and after scrutiny.
“This is a law concerning human rights. The press is the fourth arm of the state. They are human rights defenders and informers which no government can work in isolation of,†she noted.
The secretary general of the Uganda Journalists Association, Joshua Kyalimpa, said they had formed a body, Article 29 Coalition; to spearhead journalists’ fight for freedom of expression.
He added that they would hold a procession through Kampala city on the World Press Freedom Day on May 3.
The chairman of the coalition, Dr. George Lugalambi, stressed that access to information is still a problem, despite being the basis for credible reporting.