Journalists in Northern Uganda have been warned against being drawn and aiding politicians to wage war against their opponents ahead of next year’s general elections.
Ms Juliet Naiga, the Vice President Uganda Journalists’ Association (UJA) cautioned that as time ticks towards 2016 general elections, politicians will be tempted to use media as a tool to fight their selfish interests in attempts to triumph over rival camps.
Naiga said, “If care is not taken, some journalists will be duped and will later turn into rumour mongers since they will lose objectivity especially if they are reporting on politicians who have befriended them.”
She advised that, “As a professional, at all time, a reporter should be cautious whenever they are covering politicians.”
The UJA Vice President added that there should be a clear cut between friendship and work between the two parties or one may end up being compromised.
Mr Justine Oryema, a local radio proprietor in Gulu 106 ABS FM, says discipline is the key if a journalist wants to stay out of trouble with the politicians.
Oryema asked journalists to rely on their code of conduct and ethics if they are to survive the cut of politicians’ sharp sword.
Oryema says a reporter should be clear headed at all times by not being allowed to get personalized by those they cover.
The Butambala District Woman Member of Parliament (MP) Mirriam Nalubega who also doubles as the Chairperson Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Media (UPFM) said the big challenge facing Uganda’s media practitioners is the question of Ethics and job security.
MP Nalubega explained that, “There is always a hard choice for a journalist when it comes to keeping his job and observing the principles governing his profession.”
The legislator also reminded journalists of the Kenya 2007 post election violence where local media was heavily criticized for fueling the violence that left dozens dead.
Mr Eric Oduor, Secretary General Kenya Journalists’ Union (KJU) asked Ugandan journalists to rely on facts.
Oduor who was in Gulu recently says accuracy rather than biasness will save a reporter from unnecessary inconveniences.
He noted that the problem killing factual reporting is bribery and brown envelop, something he said has killed professionalism since politicians will determine what goes into a newspaper or on air.
The Kenyan journalist who has so far covered three elections also reminded journalists of self-censorship.
