By Lawrence Sunday Ogwang
Many countries including Uganda claim to protect and promote
freedom of press in different ways. This freedom however, seems to be
theoretical if not minute. Many countries even after silencing journalists,
they move on to regulate every content that goes on the media although media
content regulation would be positive if done in good faith.
The constitutional media regulation
model has been adopted by many countries in Africa, with the basic argument
that the continent is still too young to allow the media regulate itself.
Others say press freedom is necessary but the term is not synonymous with
indispensable.
In Uganda, the Media sometimes is pushed to awkward situations. Many journalists and media practisoners have been arrested and tortured. Media houses closed in the name of protecting the imaginary peace of the public, nonexistent peace.
With all these hazards done on the
press, the government of Uganda gives the impression that there is media freedom. The constitution of the country
provides for it in Article 29. This is very confusing.
Perhaps the biggest question to be
asked is “HOW FREE
IS PRESS FREEDOM IN UGANDA?”
Here, Reporters without Borders and
Freedom House websites (an international organization founded in France in
1985 to advocate for press freedom worldwide.) answers in percentage form that Ugandan press is as free
as 54%, according to their 2018 press freedom report of African countries with
the least being Senegal with 27%. This report puts Uganda number 117 out of 180
countries in the world.
The report of 2017 puts Uganda
number 112 out of 180 countries in the world. This shows that there is a
growing animosity towards the press in Uganda.
Forcing myself to think, could it be
because the press also abuses its freedom a lot to merit such restrictions?
Reporters without boarders answers that Ugandan press abuses its freedom to the
rate of 30%. Not that much because the
highest scores 76% (Senegal).
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