The Minister of Information and Computer Technology Hon Chris Baryomunsi( in Photo above) has called on Journalists to be Patriotic, Non-partisan and Truthful in Stories they publish out
This was revealed in the Media workshop organized by Media Council of Uganda at Kirigime Guest House Main Hall in Kirigime Ward southern Division Kabale Municipality.
Addressing Journalists from Kigezi Region, Baryomunsi said that a lot has happened in the first 30yrs compared to 70s and 80s.
He said, when he was growing up in the 70s and 80s, Uganda had only Two Media houses. Radio Uganda and Television but currently they are a lot of Media houses.
He added, as the Ministry, their View is to have a good relationship with the media and to feel free in addressing their challenges.
He However showed a lot of concern about the weakness of Journalists by being partisan most especially when it comes to Elections Times, story Writings and in Talk shows where the program Moderator tries to show the side.
Baryomunsi further criticized the Daily Monitor News Paper for having wrongly published About the Proposal of the Amendment of the bail on capital offenses inciting the public not to debate on the bail. He added it’s a right for the Government to bring proposals to be discussed.
He further said that During the Age limit Amendment, the media became too hostile to the government, a thing which incited a lot of violence in the country.
He added, they have read and seen a lot of stories most especially in the country of Rwanda Where the Media played a big role in inciting the Chaos between the two groups of people. (Hutu and Tusi)
Baryomunsi said some write stories inciting the public without considering the outcomes of the media house and the country at large. And that there has been miss use of the social Media platforms. A case in point where recently the social Media Declared Dead the President of Uganda Y.K Museveni.
He urged the media to continue sensitizing the public about the danger of Covid 19 and other societal challenges.
The Residents District Commissioner Mr Godfrey Nyakahuma appreciated the Big Role Played by the Media in the country.
Additional reporting by Byamukama Libino
