Media houses have been directed to stop allowing guests wearing the red beret on-air insisting the gazette by the Uganda People’s Defence forces stands until quashed by a court of law.
Speaking shortly after a meeting between security chiefs and the National Association of Broadcasters, the formation of a mediation committee was announced to handle conflicts between the media and security in carrying out their work.
On Tuesday, members of NAB led by Chairman Kin Kariisa had a cordial and fruitful meeting with the security chiefs at the Defence headquarters regarding relations between the security agencies and the media.
The Security chiefs included the Chief of Defence Forces Gen David Muhoozi, CGP, DG ESO, DG ISO, AIGP -PC, DCI/ UPF, DCI UPDF, UPF Spokesperson, UPDF Spokesperson were led by the MOIA Gen Jeje Odong.
NAB raised issues of concern to the security chiefs including safety of the journalists during their line of duty, interruption of the media while doing their work as the fourth estate, disruption of business by RDCs at upcountry stations and sometimes, poor flow of information from the agencies through the media among others.
The Security chiefs retaliated the need for media to ensure it is not used to destroy the security and stability of the country.
They also promised to work with the media on resolving any issues that might arise.
The meeting shared views candidly, and resulted in the creation of a tentative joint working committee headed by the government spokesperson Mr Ofwono Opondo.
The committee which will be sitting weekly, will be charged with improving the relationship between security and the media and ensuring continued flow of information to the public and balanced news coverage while minding security and stability of our nation.
The electoral commission and UCC will be represented on this committee as well.
Critical for your attention is the call put out by UCC when they made it clear that they will be enforcing the communications guidelines of 2019, which have since been availed to all those seeking renewal of broadcast licences.
The meeting was cordial, but firm on the facts.
It is hoped that NAB will step up its self-regulation role, to minimize friction between the national regulator (UCC), security forces and the media practitioners.
The first committee engagement is expected next week.
The Minister promised to escalate the issue of the absence of the Communication Tribunal to the executive to allow for easy arbitration and resolution of media issues.