Journalists Criticise
Proposed Ugandan Media Law
Ugandan
media have criticised a proposed law that will allow the state
to shut down newspapers and jail journalists for articles said
to undermine national security.
The law, which bans publication of material hostile to Uganda's
diplomatic relations with neighbours or seen to sabotage the
country's economy, will require all media houses to apply for an
operating license that will be renewed annually.
The Eastern Africa Journalists Association (EAJA) in a statement
said that under the Press and Journalists Amendment Bill 2010,
currently before cabinet, the Media Council will have powers to
promptly shut down a media house if it is deemed to have
published content that endangers ’’national security,
stability and unity.’’
All media houses will also be required to apply for an operating
license that will be renewed annually.
President Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled the east African
country for twenty-four years, is set to stand for another term
but is facing fierce criticism for what opponents see as
increasing autocracy and a strong hold on democracy.
Managing editor of the Daily Monitor, Daniel Kalinaki, said in
an interview that the timing of the bill seemed to dovetail with
widespread anticipation of a crackdown on the media as elections
draw closer.
Kalinaki said while the government had long harboured plans to
strengthen control of the press, the timing was suspicious and
no one was in doubt about the impact of this law on media
freedom in Uganda, especially in election time.
EAJA said the bill, which was more than an attack on press
freedom was an attack on Ugandans collective right, to the truth
and to the information needed to be free and self-governing.
REUTERS/Williams/Yinka
