Security agencies urged to promote rights of journalists

Former Monitor managing editor John Baptist Wasswa guides journalists during a workshop organised by Human Rights Network for Journalists in Arua Town on Wednesday. PHOTO BY FELIX WAROM OKELLO

Arua. Government security agencies have been asked to promote safety and freedom of journalists in West Nile sub-region.
The national coordinator of Human Rights Network for Journalists, Mr Robert Ssempala, said security agencies must work hand in hand to protect journalists in the area.
“We need a holistic approach by security agencies such as the police and the army who should understand the environment under which journalists work. This will go a long way in achieving press freedom and promoting democracy, especially in the coming elections,” Ssempala said during training for journalists in the sub-region in Arua Town on Wednesday.

Training appeal
Mr Ssempala also appealed to journalists to attend several trainings to develop professionalism so that the industry grows for the benefit of the society.
“It is true there are some few cases of unprofessionalism, especially in reporting, but we have been coordinating to ensure that the journalists here are safe. Journalists also need to be security conscious, especially on some sensitive stories they write,” she said.
Former Monitor managing editor John Baptist Wasswa said there was a need for media owners to respect the rights of journalists in terms of better pay and better terms of employment.
The regional police public relations officer, Ms Josephine Angucia, called for professionalism among journalists in order to have balanced coverage of events in the region.