Today Uganda joins the rest of the world in celebrating the world press freedom day. This day was declared 20 years ago by the United Nations General Assembly to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of the press.
Mohammad Ndifuna, the Chief Executive officer Human Rights Network (HURINET) says, “We recognize the fact that the fundamental principles of press freedom have continually come under threat and the need to defend the media from attacks on their independence. We pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives and limbs in the exercise of this noble profession.”
He says, “The role of media in society today is undeniable including its contribution to development in Uganda. It plays an important role by speaking boldly against wrong and giving a voice to the vulnerable and voiceless people.”
The media he says is considered to be the 4th pillar of society which plays an important role in the welfare of society such as: a source of information, education and entertainment. Besides being a mirror of the society, it also accommodates the world in to a single village which is saturated of media-information.
Ndifuna says the 1995 Constitution of Uganda under Article 29 protects freedom of conscience, expression, movement, religion, assembly and association. The freedom of expression and of the press, should be firmly upheld by all actors for its enjoyment by journalists and the general citizenry; and the government has the sole responsibility to protect, and show its commitment to respect press freedom.
This day serves as an occasion to inform the public of challenges faced in exercising press freedom and reminds us of the continued violation of media freedom in Uganda. These infringement are characterized by censoring publications, suspending and in remote instances threatening to close down media outlets, threats to life and limbs of journalists, editors and publisher who critical to government.
“As we celebrate, we take cognizance of this year`s theme; 21st Century; new frontiers, new barriers. The potential of the new media and digital platforms as well as the more established forms of journalism in contributing to freedom of expression, democratic governance, and sustainable development should be respected and accorded to the citizenry without restriction by the state,” says Ndifuna.
The Uganda constitution and other international human rights instruments such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and International Covenant on Civil and Political guarantees press freedom as well as laws made for regulation of the media has greatly influenced media development in the country.
Ndifuna says, “We call upon the state and all practitioners to embrace the benefits brought by the new media forums which have empowered citizens to access information, express themselves, and participate in public debate more than ever. The arrival of the digital revolution in Uganda especially the evolution of the Internet, the emergence of new forms of media, and the rise of online social networks has reshaped the media landscape of ‘Uganda press’.”
We also recognize the challenges coming with new technology that brings with it new platforms for media including piracy, possibility of propaganda and hate speech among others. The challenges come with the need for policies and laws to regulate the media generally.
However we note that the regulations should be what is acceptable in a free and democratic society. On this we recommend that the government of Uganda to refrain from passing laws that undermine media freedom.
Specifically we call upon the government to withdraw and review the Press and Journalists Act amendment bill and to amend laws limiting media freedom including sections of the NGO Act, the Penal Code Act, and the Anti Terrorism Act, among others.
It’s unfortunate the media here is faced with various challenges and controls from state and non state actors who limit free media. These range from arbitrary arrest of media practitioners, sometimes charging them with clamped up charges and closure of media outlets without giving them a chance to be heard.
The recent ones are the excesses by the Broadcasting Council, the Communications Commission and state agencies including the ordering for blockage of social networks Face book and Twitter; and ordering radio and TV stations to stop live coverage of demonstrations. The same period has witnessed increased army and police beating and arrest of media practitioners during their work, these events are indicative of narrowing space of media freedom in Uganda.
“In conclusion we call upon the state, state agents and non state actors including individuals in Uganda to exercise restraint and work for the promotion of media freedom. Media freedom should be viewed as a tool to promoting a democratic and accountable society as opposed to being looked at as a tool used by those against the state,” says Ndifuna.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT; P.O.Box 21265 Plot 94 Old Kiira Road Ntinda, Tel+ 256 414 286 923/285 362, Fax 256 14 286 881, Email: data@hurinet.or.ug , hurinet@gmail.com Website: www.hurinet.or.ug
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