My loose notes on the use of social media in Uganda
With the advent of social media, we are all journalists. In fact, there is no aspect of journalism that captures the concept of mass communication as social media.
And what is good journalism (on social media or on what is referred to as traditional platforms) if it cannot benefit the polity in whose service journalism claims subsistent existence?
Because the mass communicators on social media would like to be of service to the people, the new trend is that most of the content on social media tends to be promotional, advocacy, activism for (or of) whatever causes of individual espousal. Unfortunately (or fortunately), for Ugandans, the biggest and most exciting ‘cause’ in the country is politics.
In spite of all else, I still treat social media as casual and unserious. Indeed this reflects in my Facebook posts. I am therefore unlikely to engage Ugandan political activists on social media platforms. I don’t like politics.
At home, we were forbidden from using derogative words and we never played like other children of our age. Ours was a garrison. And those who know Mzee Asuman can testify to this; for his reputation for harshly disciplining his children was well known beyond our home.
I am unlikely to call someone ‘silly’ or ‘rubbish’ or ‘idiot’ when expressing disapproval of one’s idea. Yet these words are very common with (political) activists on social media. I am not wired to respond to people who use such words.
I have detected a trend where practising journalists engage politicians or political activists on social media platforms. Dear journalists, how will you respond to a political activist who calls you stupid, idiot, foolish, unprofessional, etc?
Whereas I may put up with practicing journalists expressing disapproval of political commissions or omissions on social media, I would expect the expression of disapproval to appeal to a higher rung of the political thought or activism.
On the impending Bugiri Municipality elections, a Facebook friend wrote: ‘The same way they killed the Democratic Alliance (TDA) efforts… #BugiriMunicipality’. The import of this Facebook post was that FDC should support the candidature of Asuman Basalirwa. The tone of the post was clear: Blaming FDC for offering a candidate in the impending poll instead of supporting Basalirwa.
Shortly thereafter, the same friend wrote: ‘He even named his son after Dr Besigye! If he had won that seat, you would be proud of him. You would be even collecting money from his salary to build the party. In political matters he is FDC before being a journalist.
As a journalist, I will push until you get him out. Anything short of that you are not good enough. #FDCSaveLutaayaNow’
Much as I found the Facebook post rather partisan and lacking in attitude, the unnecessary savaging FDC social media activists visited on my friend was unnecessary. I advised the writer to stop exposing himself to such unnecessary attacks. That is my survival tactic.
I am familiar with Muyanga Lutaya’s issue. And I know FDC social media activists even lied in their ugly response to my friend’s Facebook post. But I will keep my peace.
But if I were a journalist commenting on the Lutaya issue, I would focus on the judge (or judgement?), who okayed the costs of Shs300m (later appealed and reduced to Shs57m) in a public interest petition. There is a better (advocacy) story there than accusing FDC of neglecting Lutaya.
The same ‘negligence’ that always attracts misplaced accusations of FDC’s failure to help Sam Mugumya out of a Congolese prison. It is sad some people blame FDC for Mugumya’s imprisonment. I blame Mugumya’s woes on the government.
Mr Bisiika is the executive editor of East African Flagpost.
