Tempers flared yesterday at a joint press conference hosted by Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) over the suspension of the journalist from several media houses that had according to UCC breached minimum broadcasting standards as per Section 31: Schedule 4 of the Uganda Communications ACT. The UCC has directed the media houses to temporarily suspend new managers who had broadcasted events of Bobi Wine’s arrest during Easter period. In the joint press conference chaired by UCC ED Mr Mutabaazi Godfrey and National Association of broadcasters led by Mr Kariisa Kin, Captain Francis Babu who was clearly irked by these recent events and had lot to say.
“You handled this case extremely shabbily this time, you could have handled it in a better way. It has gone out internationally, we are ashamed. Yesterday I hear citizens talking about us in Kenya and I was disgusted and I heard people saying all sorts of things and its about the way you handled it Mr Chairman. You could have handled it better we could have listened to you.” Hon Babu said assured the UCC Executive Director.
“And, this habit has stared here, you like going to News papers and intimidate us, and that’s something I don’t like. You should talk to us, we listen. We like this industry, it employs people and its an economic venture in this world and its good that we have it and its a powerful industry.” He added.
You like going to News papers and intimidate us
The former pilot expressed concern that the country’s image was being tarnished by International News media including: Aljazeera, BBC and CNN who were putting everything on air which was very insulting to him, and yet our media was here is “locked up in jail somewhere”. He reminded the stakeholders at the conference about the dark past days, when Ugandans had stopped listing to their own radios and were listing to BBC because it would tell what was actually going on. “Are you also going to regulate Aljazeera and CNN? With the kind of rubbish they are putting on?” Captain Babu asked.
However, Mr Mutabaazi reiterated and requested the captain to “kindly stick to the issue and also requested him to be disciplined, else he was not going to listen to him.
“This is where the problem is, you don’t want us to talk to you, you come here and you gag us. Let’s talk to you. You want your point to be listened to but you don’t want to listen to us. You discipline me? Because I have come here and said the truth? Why should you discipline me? You want to discipline me at my age? No, Mr Mutabaazi time has come for us to tell you the truth, we want to work with you but you must work with us and we must respect you. Don’t disrespect us.” Mr Babu replied.
Mr Kaliisa interjected and asked Hon Babu to calm down. ” I am not going to have UCC run our companies. They are supposed to regulate not run. If you don’t want us to talk fine. Mr Kaliisa am going to speak what hurts me, and I am not going to give up this one. I am saying the problem is that we don’t understand each other” Hon Babu replied. Details in video below.
The Minimum broadcasting standards in Uganda
But, what are the broadcasting standards
- To promote responsible broadcasting
- To protect viewers and reduce undue offence and harm.
- To facilitate Broadcasting that caters for the diversity of tastes and interest.
- To promote impartiality and accuracy
- To guide to broadcasters about matters falling within the scope of the standards.
Section 31: Schedule 4 of the Uganda Communications ACT reglates every broadcaster or video Operator to ensure that;-
A) Any programme which is broadcast;
- Is not contrary to public morality,
- Doesn’t promote the culture of violence or ethnical prejudice among the public, especially the children and the youth.
- In case of a news broadcast, is free from distortion of facts;
- Is not likely to create public insecurity or violence,
- Is in compliance with the existing law.
B) Programmes that are broadcast are balanced to ensure harmony in such programmes
C) Adult-oriented programmes are appropriately scheduled
D) Where a programme that is broadcast is with respect to a contender for a public office, that each contender is given an equal opportunity on such a programme
E) Where a broadcast relates to national security, the contents of the broadcast are verified before broadcasting
It should also be noted that the president recently came out to condemn the actions of the police, but also offered some guidance to those who want to do public gatherings.
