Media Council calls for dialogue on violence against journalists

The Media Council of Uganda has called for dialogue between media managers, security agencies, and other state actors amid rising violence against journalists.

The call was made during a meeting between the Nation Media Group-Uganda (NMG-Uganda) top management and the Media Council at the latter head offices in Kampala yesterday.

Media Council officials, led by their chairman Paul Ekochu, advised that fostering open discussions between security agencies and the media would create a platform for consensus on national matters without compromising independence.

“We don’t want to have a chaotic media environment because if communication is cut, then we shall not have a solution to this problem. But as we do that, we need to foster unity and work together as media owners and reporters,” Mr Ekochu said.

The Media Council of Uganda was established under Section 8 of the Press and Journalist Act and is mandated to regulate the mass media.

Kawempe by-election

A fortnight ago, security personnel assaulted journalists covering the Kawempe North by-election and held them in custody for hours. Upon their release, they required hospitalisation for days as they recovered from serious injuries. Following the attack, several media houses withdrew their reporters from the field.

During the meeting, Ms Susan Nsibirwa, the managing director of NMG-Uganda, decried the increasing infringement on media freedom.

“We are here preparing for the [forthcoming] elections, but it looks like we are preparing for war. All these years, we thought that donning press jackets and tags was the safest way to protect journalists since they are easily identified. On the contrary, this is different. Those wearing a press jacket and helmet are the ones targeted,” Ms Nsibirwa said.

During the 2021 general elections, security forces attacked journalists on multiple occasions, leaving some with injuries that resulted in permanent disabilities. In its defence, security agencies claimed that journalists were caught in the line of duty as they could not be easily identified.

Reporters who recounted their ordeal following the Kawempe North by-election, said they had been singled out from the public before being beaten.

Media Council officials commended NMG for exemplary journalism.

Mr Peter Jabweri Okello, the Media Council vice chairperson, stated: “We have always had healthy competition between NMG and other media houses, but recently, we discovered that other players have been rendered helpless because they can’t match the quality of journalism at NMG. The issues covered are of human interest.”