JamiiTalks
JF Advocacy Team
- Aug 7, 2018
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Uganda: Shirika liitwalo 'Media Focus on Africa Uganda' kwa kushirikiana na Wadau mbalimbali ikiwemo JamiiForums limeandaa Tamasha la Uganda Media Week 2024 ili kuangazia mambo mbalimbali kuhusu hali ya Vyombo vya Habari na Habari kwa ujumla nchini humo.
Wadau mbalimbali wa Habari toka Nchini humo na nchi jirani ikiwemo Tanzania na Kenya wamekutana kujadili changamoto zinazoikabili Sekta ya Habari.
Dhamira ya Tamasha: Kurudisha Imani kwa Vyombo vya Habari wakati wa AI (Rebuilding Trust on Media in Times of AI)
Mada zilizojadiliwa (Siku ya Kwanza):
- Namna ya kurudisha Imani kwa Vyombo vya Habari
- Ushawishi, Taarifa Potoshi na Harakati za Vyombo vya Habari Huru
- Kuangazia mzingira ya Sheria za Habari
- Utengenezaji wa Mazingira Salama kwa Afya ya Akili kazini
- Kukuza Ushiriki wa Wanawake na Vijana kwenye masuala ya Uchaguzi
SOME UPDATES ON THE CONVERSATION - DAY 1
Topic: Navigating Complex Legal Environments
Moderator, Ben Mwine welcomed participants to the Uganda Media Week, emphasizing the importance of the conversation about the evolving legal and regulatory framework in Uganda’s media landscape, particularly in the context of emerging technologies.
Dr. Abudu-Sallam Waiswa, the head of legal at Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), opened the discussion addressing the country’s media regulation, focusing on the challenges and opportunities in the age of digital platforms. He acknowledged that UCC’s role is critical in ensuring media remains professional and accountable. The Uganda Communications Act defines UCC’s mandate, which includes regulating communication services ranging from telecoms to traditional TV and radio, and more recently, online platforms.
Dr. Waiswa noted that in 2018, UCC recognized the growing prominence of online media platforms and began adjusting its regulatory approach to include online services. These platforms were reaching a vast audience, sometimes even surpassing traditional TV and radio in terms of reach and influence. He explained how UCC introduced a lighter regulatory model for online service providers, especially for start-ups like RX Radio, which initially believed they were exempt from regulation because they weren’t traditional broadcast media. The solution was to implement an “Online Data Communication Service Authorization” instead of a full license, targeting those offering professional media services online, such as news outlets or platforms running ads, rather than everyday users on social media.
Dr. Waiswa emphasized that this move was made to protect consumers, ensuring accountability for those providing communication services. By requiring operators to submit basic business information and a tax identification number (TIN), UCC aimed to make sure that businesses operating online would be identifiable in case of complaints or defamation. This regulation ensures that online media platforms are held to the same standards as traditional media, with the potential for sanctions if they violate terms of service.
While UCC’s regulatory approach was met with some resistance, particularly from start-ups, the Commission has maintained that these measures are necessary for transparency, consumer protection, and ensuring responsible journalism. As of now, about 118 online service providers have been authorized under this new framework.
Robert Ssempala, the Executive Director of the Human Rights Network for Journalists Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda), then spoke on the challenges he saw with the new regulations. While he commended the platform for encouraging open discussions, he raised concerns over the broad application of the new rules. His key issue was that UCC’s regulations treated all media-related entities in the same manner, including those who were not professional journalists. For example, he argued, an individual who wanted to share their thoughts or a personal story on an online platform could potentially fall under the same regulatory framework as a professional media house, which he saw as unfair.
Ssempala pointed out that these regulations had a particularly concerning impact after Uganda’s 2020 “scientific” elections, where online platforms played a crucial role in facilitating free expression, especially for those who could not attend physical meetings. He voiced concerns that the new regulations were politically motivated, aimed at stifling dissent and limiting freedom of expression by placing burdensome restrictions on non-professional voices.
In summary, while UCC sees the regulatory framework as necessary for ensuring accountability, fairness, and protecting consumers, Ssempala and his organization argue that such regulations could be used to curb free speech and limit the ability of individuals to express themselves freely on online platforms.
Topic: Influence, Disinformation, and a Quest for Independent Media in Uganda
Anna Reismann, Country Representative for Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Uganda and South Africa, shared an example from the Philippines. She highlighted a group that sought to break through the wall of negative disinformation by researching their success in this endeavor. She pointed out that while disinformation and hatred spread quickly, so does inspiration. Reismann concluded by emphasizing that inspiration, like anger, can travel fast and should be a source of hope in the quest for better media and information integrity.
Solomon Serwanja, Executive Director of the Africa Institute for Investigative Journalism, focused on the issue of media independence, particularly the influence of advertising. He asked the audience how many people actually subscribe to newspapers like the Daily Monitor or New Vision, and pay for these subscriptions themselves, not relying on workplace coverage. Serwanja argued that media houses must explore diverse revenue models to survive, as relying solely on advertising is insufficient. He compared Ugandan media to Western media outlets, like The Washington Post and The New York Times, which rely on subscriptions to fund their journalism.
Serwanja also raised the challenge that, despite media houses in Uganda developing new models to stay afloat, consumers often do not financially support them. He discussed the paradox of expecting independent journalism while not supporting it financially. Furthermore, Serwanja pointed out the increasing trend of media houses sponsoring events, such as concerts, as a way to generate income. For instance, he mentioned Sanyuka TV sponsoring concerts for popular artist Gravity Omutujju, which, although appearing contradictory to journalistic independence, serves as a necessary revenue stream.
Servanja noted the financial pressures faced by media professionals, like Ben, Head of Radio at Next Media, who must report revenue numbers in addition to overseeing editorial content. He emphasized that media CEOs focus on financial targets, such as generating funds from sponsorships, to maintain operations. Similarly, Abbas, involved in various media projects, also has to ensure revenue targets are met. Serwanja shared that smaller media outlets, like Big Media led by Chigungu, also face financial challenges and often have to find innovative ways, such as hosting events, to stay in business.
Serwanja acknowledged the ongoing struggle of Ugandan media houses to maintain editorial independence while meeting financial demands. The conversation highlighted the need for diverse funding models, consumer support for independent journalism, and the pressures media professionals face to balance business with editorial integrity.
PIA SOMA
- Uganda Media Week Day 2: JamiiForums kuwasilisha mada ya Ushiriki wa Wananchi katika kuleta Mabadiliko ya Kijamii
