Uganda Government Curtailing Social Media And Journalism Freedom, As They Threaten To Summon Or Revoke Operating Licences Of Medias That Are Bias To The Government.

The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has released a report on an investigation into the alleged breach of minimum broadcasting standards by 13 broadcasters finding a number of them culpable.

The investigation followed UCC’s directive in May 2019 to have Head of News and Head of Programmes of radios including Akaboozi FM, Beat FM, CBS FM Sapiensa FM, Pearl FM and Simba FM suspended in relation to their coverage of the arrest and subsequent remand of Kyadondo East MP, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu alias Bobi Wine, on April 29.

The directive also applied to BBS TV, Bukedde TV Kingdom TV, NBS TV, NTV, Salt TV.

It took the involvement of National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), to ask the communication regulator, UCC, to rescind its directive pending investigations.

According to UCC, the investigation was sparked by complaints from security agencies to the effect that a section of radio and television stations were broadcasting content that was contrary to the minimum broadcasting standards enshrined in Section 31 and Schedule 4 of the Uganda Communications Act 2013.

Now, on concluding the investigations, UCC has Monday 7 October 2019, released a report on the matter in which it has found NTV, NBS, BBS, Bukedde TV and Radio Sapientia culpable. As such, it has asked them to show cause why the regulator shouldn’t revoke their licenses.

The report indicates that the Uganda Police and other security agencies reported they had received intelligence information to the effect that certain persons were mobilizing members of the public to gang up against security agencies and force their way towards vital government installations in order to disrupt peace and security.

The security agencies were also concerned that the continuous live coverage of exchanges between rioting crowds and security personnel, including one-sided interviews, was intended to incite the public against their lawful actions.

In addition to the concerns of security agencies, the Commission says it also received complaints from concerned members of the public who expressed fears that the manner in which some broadcasters were repeatedly showing violent clashes between the Police and rowdy crowds was threatening their safety, that of their children and businesses.

They add that they observed a growing trend of some broadcasters disregarding the prescribed minimum broadcasting standards.

“The Commission had, for instance, noted the increasing number of live programs, breaking news stories and prime news bulletins being dominated by misrepresentation of information, incitement of violence, unbalanced content, sensational reporting and giving undue prominence to certain individuals and events in a manner likely to mislead or cause alarm to the public,” reads the report in parts.

“Having been found culpable for contravening minimum broadcasting standards, the report recommends that Radio Sapientia, Bukedde TV, NTV, NBS TV and BBS are given notice to show cause why the Commission should not invoke Section 41 of the Uganda Communications Act 2013,” UCC spokesperson, Ibrahim Bbosa told this news website.

Section 41 covers suspension and revocation of a broadcaster’s license in case of serious and repeated breach.

The reports recommends that the said TV stations be required to train their news reporters, producers and editors in professional reporting, emphasising key provisions of the law and the standards.

NBS and NTV, in particular, are to be asked to demonstrate that they have adequate measures in place “to ensure that news reporters, anchors, producers and editors remain impartial and non-partisan in the course of their work.”

This observation is derived from the finding that some reporters are taking sides in political debates, according to the report.

Salt TV, Capital FM, CBS and Radio Simba were all said to be largely compliant, with some mistakes acknowledged and promises made to improve. They are to be cautioned.

As for Radio Two Akaboozi and Beat FM, the report says there was no evidence of a breach so it’s recommended that no action be taken against the stations.

For Radio Two, Akaboozi and Beat FM, investigators found no evidence of a breach but, like many others, they were faulted on failing to install pre-listening and delay devices and contravening the Press and Journalists Act.

The Commission has faulted Kingdom TV for failing to notify UCC about changes in its programming, saying it is the reason it is on the spot.

‘Inside Story’ show on Pearl FM suspended

On Pearl FM, the report states that UCC has previously warned the station about similar breaches. Investigators took exception of a show known as the “Inside Story”, which they said is not well structured and the presenter “does not seem to have credible sources for the information upon which the show is based.”

The report says that if the show is not redefined and adequate controls put in place, “it is likely to alarm the public and become a platform for fueling political propaganda, which can result in violence.”

As such, the report recommends that “Inside Story” be immediately suspended until “Pearl FM can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Commission that it has instituted adequate measures to improve this show".