Media_Freedom_in_Uganda_Analysis_of_inequitable_legal_limitations
Media_Freedom_in_Uganda_Analysis_of_inequitable_legal_limitations
Media_Freedom_in_Uganda_Analysis_of_inequitable_legal_limitations
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MEDIA FREEDOM IN UGANDA<br />
the Council. This puts the Council under the direct control <strong>of</strong> the M<strong>in</strong>ister <strong>of</strong><br />
Information which compromises its <strong>in</strong>dependence.<br />
The Press and Journalist Act falls short <strong>of</strong> <strong>legal</strong> guarantees on <strong>in</strong>dependence <strong>of</strong><br />
the Council as well as the manner <strong>in</strong> which members <strong>of</strong> this regulatory body are<br />
chosen. The fact that the M<strong>in</strong>ister determ<strong>in</strong>es the remuneration <strong>of</strong> members, the<br />
budget and houses the Council with<strong>in</strong> the premises <strong>of</strong> M<strong>in</strong>istry <strong>of</strong> Information,<br />
the shield <strong>of</strong> <strong>in</strong>dependence and freedom from <strong>in</strong>terference from the government<br />
are watered down.<br />
The African Commission on Human and People’s Rights <strong>in</strong> the Declaration <strong>of</strong><br />
Pr<strong>in</strong>ciples <strong>of</strong> <strong>Freedom</strong> <strong>of</strong> Expression <strong>in</strong> Africa <strong>of</strong> which <strong>Uganda</strong> is a party provides<br />
that: Any regulatory body established to hear compla<strong>in</strong>ts about media content,<br />
<strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g media councils, shall be protected aga<strong>in</strong>st political, economic or any other<br />
undue <strong>in</strong>terference. Its powers shall be adm<strong>in</strong>istrative <strong>in</strong> nature and it shall not seek to<br />
usurp the role <strong>of</strong> the courts.<br />
The <strong>Media</strong> Council created under the Press and Journalist Act does not meet this<br />
criterion <strong>of</strong> an <strong>in</strong>dependent compla<strong>in</strong>ts body.<br />
The Press and Journalist Act further establishes the National Institute <strong>of</strong> Journalists<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Uganda</strong> (NIJU) which is supposed to enroll all journalists <strong>in</strong> the country.<br />
A journalist who is not enrolled by the Institute is not eligible for a practic<strong>in</strong>g<br />
certificate. Section 15 <strong>of</strong> the Act categorizes membership <strong>in</strong>to full, associate<br />
and honorary and limits full membership <strong>of</strong> the Institute to journalists who are<br />
degree holders. Section 15 (2) (a) and (b) provides that: A person shall be eligible<br />
for full membership <strong>of</strong> the <strong>in</strong>stitute if— (a) he or she is a holder <strong>of</strong> a university degree<br />
<strong>in</strong> journalism or mass communication; or (b) he or she is a holder <strong>of</strong> a university<br />
degree plus a qualification <strong>in</strong> journalism or mass communication, and has practiced<br />
journalism for at least one year.<br />
Full members have discretionary rights to determ<strong>in</strong>e and vote on who qualifies to<br />
become an associate or honorary member <strong>of</strong> the Institute. Section 15 (5) denies<br />
associate members the right to vote. It provides that: An associate or honorary<br />
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