Dr. Peter Mwesige, a senior journalist trainer has said journalists are free to subscribe to a political party so long as they remain accountable to the citizens that they serve.
While responding to questions raised by journalists from northern Uganda during a training organized by African Center for Media Excellence (ACME) on election reporting in Gulu town on Monday, Dr. Mwesige said journalism does not take away one’s right as a citizen.
“Like any other profession such as doctor and priesthood, a journalist can belong to a particular political party if they don’t take sides,” Dr. Mwesige said.
He noted that like doctors, it will not require them to close their clinics simply because they want to participate in the electoral process of a country.
However, he warned that belonging to a party should not grant a journalist freedom that will compromise his loyalty to the citizens that he serves.
Mwesige adds that, “A journalist should not immerse themselves in self pity that makes him or her turn a blind eye to tell a story that matters to the public.”
“Good journalism is about telling the story on behalf of those who don’t have a voice,” He stressed.
But during one of the presentations, Ms Fiona Ladwar, a Lira based journalist disagreed and said subscribing to a political party will often gag a journalist from fair and balanced reporting in case the matter negatively affects the political party that he belongs to.
Mr Martin Ojara Mapenduzi, the Gulu District LCV Chairperson says as the situation heats up ahead of the 2016 general election, journalists should maintain high level of professionalism if they are to avoid getting caught in ‘political excitement’.
Mapenduzi warned that, “The weather will get stormy as the election days draw nearer. Media practitioners should equip themselves with a lot of skills if they are to sail through.”
He also noted that individuals have to fight off temptations and ‘brown envelope’ as it will be used to keep journalists off from the truth.
Recently, Mr Moses Odokonyero, the Chairperson of Northern Uganda Media Club (NUMEC), a media development organization based in northern Uganda says journalists should at all time observe high ethical standard by not accepting any kind of donation from individuals who want to compromise both their integrity as well as the ethical code of conduct.
The Journalism Code of Ethics by the Independent Media Council of Uganda says ‘A journalist shall not solicit, accept bribes or any form of inducement meant to bend or influence professional performance’.
