Writer: Odoobo C. Bichachi. PHOTO/COURTESY
This week, I dedicate this column to direct feedback from you, our audiences, starting with the query on Uganda's mainstream media’s expressed blackout on sections of the security establishment following the ugly attack on journalists during last week’s by-election in Kawempe Division, Kampala.
Chemonges, Bugiri: I read in the newspapers last week that you have declared a press blackout on security-related issues due to the unfortunate scenes prior to and during the Kawempe by-elections. Don’t you think this may be counterproductive because some readers are more interested in looking at pictures emanating from such chaotic places? Compare your sales now and before. In my opinion, those “fellows” are now jubilating over your decision. Such a move is only applicable to Parliament and other entities. It’s like refusing to go and dig in the garden because your mum has denied you food, which food is for all of you!
Public Editor: Blanketing out coverage on any institution is always a difficult decision to make for any newsroom considering that journalists are in the business of giving news to the public. A press blackout therefore denies the public information and allows rogue behaviour to go on without being put under the spotlight.
But while newsrooms have a responsibility to society and the public, they also have a responsibility to their staff in the direct line of fire. It is often said that no story is worth the life of a journalist, because the story will be told one way or the other in its time. Second, sanctions do raise a point, draw the line and create pressure on authorities to change course. Even in the worst case, there are always a few sober minds that will pick the point and correct course on the basis of Article 29 (1) (a) of the Uganda Constitution (1995) that guarantees media freedoms, and states thus: “Every person shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression, which shall include freedom of the press and other media”.
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Ben Matsiko Kahunga: Refer to your column, “Don’t simply tell the story, break it down” (Daily Monitor, March 14). Imprecision, as is our standard practice here, argues one anthropologist, stems from our norms of “taboozing” counting: children are never counted, wealth (animals) is never counted, food is never rationed, et cetera. One of my many parish priests barbs us Africans as being allergic to numbers. Thus this grows into our reporting and its imprecision. The other angle is the “development journalism” approach where specialised journalism training helps deepen journalists in a given domain, sharpened to “breakdown” stories. Another way is picking professionals in particular domains and training them into journalists or special columnists. Picture Dr Ian Clarke “covering” medical or health related event.
The “flyover” story you referenced would be broken down to its memes by an engineer who added transport economics to engineering. One such guru (I share a 'talking platform' with him and sage Buwembo) says Uganda’s competitive advantage in international trade lies in reducing the cost per tonne hauled from or to the cost. He argues only a railway will do this. On water transport, he adds we have enormous potential to Europe via the River Nile into the Mediterranean and the Atlantic via the River Congo.In the Mwanza to Port Bell story, another curious angle would be: Does East Africa build ships? Is maritime training established beyond Kenya, in the EAC? Et cetera!
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MK (Full name withheld on request): Seeing a video of a journalist limping away after having been beaten by security operatives/thugs, having had their equipment either damaged or stolen—and the scenes of journalists hospitalised for simply doing their jobs—makes one want to cry!I was moved by Daniel’s [Kalinaki] editorial about the crazy conditions in which journalists have to plan their coverage. There are no words for the brazen lawlessness displayed by the State. It seems as if journalists in your country are operating in territory controlled by criminal gangs.I also continue to love the front pages and the frequent posts on X with the quotes from the revolutionary Yoweri Museveni!On a separate note, great piece by you (see: “Don’t simply tell the story, break it down”, Daily Monitor, March 14) reminding the press to break down a story and go beyond stenography!
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