As our neigbhours in Kenya breath the refreshing air of "change" we in Uganda continue to see the continued surpression of even the little "fresh air" that the 1986 "change" hade brought us!
Gook
�We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the vitriolic words and actions of bad people but also for the appalling silence of good people". M.L.King
Subject: NRM Govt moves to vet journalists
Date: Fri, 3 Jan 2003 09:44:41 +0100 Headlines Govt moves to vet journalists By Carolyne Nakazibwe The Media Council will soon visit media organisations to vet the qualifications of journalists. The move, expected to be carried out this year, will see disc jockeys (DJs), artistes and scribes without journalism qualifications barred from working in media houses. Similarly, radio stations, which refuse to stop broadcasting public debates outside their studios (ebimeeza), may not have their licenses renewed by the council this year. Radio One, Radio Two, Simba FM, CBS FM and other stations upcountry hold live public debates every weekend. Minister of State for Information Basoga Nsadhu said 2003 is the year for implementing the Press and Journalism Statute, which among other things requires journalists to have a degree in mass communication/journalism, or a degree in another discipline with a journalism diploma. He said only honorary members of the profession, recognised as such by the National Institute of Journalists of Uganda (NIJU) due to their long time of service, would be spared. "We want to deal with people who are competent and professional in the field," Nsadhu said at the weekly cabinet briefing in Nakasero yesterday. Reporters and radio presenters without necessary qualifications will be sieved by this operation, unless a NIJU general assembly recognises them as associate members. The Media Council is a statutory body and the Information minister appoints members to the council. The body includes journalists, government officials and other members of the public, although journalists are advocating the formation of a council free of government control. Nsadhu said the Electronic Media Statute 1996 requires radio stations to operate only within licensed studios, and not bars, night-clubs or their compounds. "Is the producer supposed to be addressed as chairman? All radio licenses are due for renewal this year and we intend to fully follow the law. Those who are not ready to comply with the law shall not be allowed to operate at all," a tough-talking Nsadhu said. "If you can't operate [according to the law] then don't apply for the license. Go and invest elsewhere." Nsadhu warned media houses about the existing media laws like that of sedition and the Anti-Terrorism Act, which he said would be enforced strongly this year. He said the implementation of the laws is not meant to suffocate the media but to protect the profession against "masqueraders". Nsadhu said the law would this year also require all cinemas, makeshift video halls and video libraries to get licenses from the Media Council. The minister also said government would ease access to information "which is substantial enough to please everybody". Nsadhu said the Ministry of Education and Sports had endorsed a syllabus for the national diploma in journalism, which is to be followed by all media institutions. January 03, 2003 01:04:15The new MSN 8: smart spam protection and 2 months FREE*.
