MPs call for dialogue to end standoff with media

A section of legislators have called for dialogue between parliament and media houses in order to resolve the standoff triggered by alleged negative coverage of the house.

Several legislators told this reporter that charging editors with contempt of parliament is unwarranted adding that all necessary steps need to be taken to end the deadlock and develop a mutual relationship between parliament and the press.

The standoff was triggered by a debate in parliament in which legislators demonstrated anger with coverage of issues in Parliament and accused select media houses of bias.

Their anger was triggered by reports on the 150 million Shillings car grant, a planned expenditure of 68 million Shillings as burial expenses for each legislator, and expenses on trips to attend the Ugandan North American Association (UNAA) conventions in Boston, Massachusetts and to Los Angeles California.

The Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga then directed the committee on Rules, Privileges and Discipline to review publications by a number of media houses with a view of charging them with contempt of parliament.

The committee summoned editors of Uganda Radio Network, The Observer, New Vision and Red Pepper, among others to clarify their publications about parliament. However, only editors of The New Vision have so far appeared before the committee.

Other media houses have questioned the jurisdiction of the committee to summon editors to clarify matters falling within their editorial discretion.

Ntungamo municipality MP Gerald Karuhanga says the relationship between media and parliament can best be improved through dialogue. Karuhanga adds that parliament needs to appreciate criticism while media houses should also acknowledge and correct professional errors.

Another legislator who preferred anonymity faulted the Speaker of Parliament for initiating outbursts against the media, on the floor of parliament. "Administratively, she should have sat the media with the communication officer to make a proper strategy instead of doing it outburst on the floor, I think that was unprofessional", the legislator said.

Obongi County MP Hassan Kaps Fungaroo said that the bitter relationship between parliament and media is a cause for concern.

"In my view, let all the stakeholders involved go into the stages of engagement with the hope of improving the relationship for the future", Fungaroo said adding such an engagement will be an opportunity for the media to highlight their observation about parliament over the years.

Julie Mukoda, the Mayuge Woman MP advised editors of media houses to interface with parliament's Rules, Privileges and Discipline committee in a bid to find a balance between the legislature and media.

The committee on Rules, Privileges and Discipline has since issued fresh summons to media houses while insisting that parliament has powers to invite anyone under Article 90(4) of the Constitution and Rule 197 of the Rules of Procedure of the Parliament of Uganda.

This is not the first time parliament and media houses faceoff in relation to coverage of the assembly. During the ninth parliament, the two parties failed to agree on new guidelines which ejected non degree holders and persons who had covered parliament for more than five years. The matter is still in court.

However, a number of journalists were successfully denied accreditation for coverage of the tenth parliament.