Journalists in Gulu have expressed fear of fellow journalists who spy over their colleagues in newsrooms.
The journalists said newsrooms have been infiltrated by elements who moonlight as spies in the cover of doing journalism.
The concerns were raised by journalists during on Friday last week during a discussion at the Northern Uganda Media Club to commemorate the World Press Freedom Day.
The 2019 theme for World Press Freedom Day was the role of media in elections and democracy.
Arthur Okot, an editor of a radio station in Gulu said sometimes journalists fear of being monitored by security agencies.
Without disclosing names of media houses, Justine Obol Simpleman the Gulu district secretary for community service said he had learnt with shock that some newsrooms have spies. Obol who is also the Gulu district Secretary for Publicity for Democratic Party fears that such journalists are planted in newsrooms by security agencies.
Charles Akena of NUMEC explained that having a newsroom with spies intimidates journalists and affects the news gathering and dissemination process.
Martin Ojara Mapenduzi, the Gulu LCV Chairperson who was formerly a radio talkshow host and presenter at Choice FM said he learnt with shock that his former news editor is now a police officer.
But Gulu Resident District Commissioner-RDC, Major Santos Okot Lapolo who was guest at the event urged the journalists to stick to their ethics as the only way to set them free.
Dr Okullu Mura a retired ministry of information now Gulu University lecturer presented a key note address on the role of the media in elections and democracy.
