Journalists need assured protection against violence

The military violence against journalists during the parliamentary by-election in Kawempe North has made observers conclude that the nature of journalism and political violence in Uganda has grown from mere violence to a ‘war’ between two units; the media and security forces.

In this context, the media use information to advocate for truth, while security forces resort to violence, threats, firearms, and intimidation to suppress the truth, hence constituting a 'war.' Whereas truth cannot be destroyed, it can be masked, and the act of masking truth through violence against journalists, particularly those in well-regulated traditional media, positions a threat not only to security forces but to the government as a whole.

Organized journalism can be regulated, as previously proved by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) and the Media Council, but blocking established media channels will inevitably lead to the emergence of alternative avenues through which information will reach the public, as the public’s right to information is non-negotiable and not subject to governmental command. The government risks losing credibility when citizens begin to consume misinformation due to violence against professional journalism, resulting in a misinformed population. 'Alternative journalists,' who may lack familiarity with media ethics, should be of greater concern to the government than the so-called 'incompetent' professional journalists.

In all these, I don’t think Journalists are against the government, rather, they only act as mirrors reflecting the occurrences within societies. They distribute what they observe, not what the government desires to perceive. Press as an independent watchdog, relies on diversity of thought, and freedom to question authority and any move towards making journalists’ minds disturbed through violence is a danger to press freedom.

If security actions continue, even media laws or forcing journalists to attend Kyankwanzi ‘cadre’ training may not help. Government should only change its behaviors and ideology, they must behave positively and do positive things as the only solution for ‘negative and biased reporting’ as they say. Media will not see violence and report peace. If the goal of security forces is trying to coerce the press to make them 'publish what the government wants or to leave publishing’, this is the most senseless thing ever especially in this technological era where everyone is a journalist. You rather be with ‘biased media’ you can regulate than alternative digital media you cannot control. 

The violence against journalists only indicates desperation within the government and its security forces. A government that fears the media is one that fears the truth. Truth will continue even when traditional media is suppressed, and the government will find it hard to silence citizen journalists. Concrete reconciliations, improvement in actions, and interpretation of media laws to security organs are better options. These must be genuine, not like the past press-security forces agreements which later followed by violent actions and contradictory statements, security forces must walk the talk. 

In any democratic system, the press is referred to as the fourth estate, a crucial pillar that holds government institutions and individuals in positions to account, safeguards citizens, and informs the public. To effectively protect these functions and improve relations between the security forces and journalists, the government should endeavor to create an environment conducive to press freedom. This would involve implementing disciplinary measures against perpetrators of attacks and intimidation, protecting journalists, and developing an open atmosphere for information and communication exchanges between security entities and media representatives. 

Regrettably, institutions such as the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) and the Uganda Media Council, which should prioritize these approaches, are often manipulated to suppress journalism by cooperating with those who oppress press freedom, thereby imposing unjustified restrictions on journalists and media outlets. The government must recognize that attacks on journalists are not merely assaults on people but constitute violations of the public's right to information. When the press and journalists are silenced, it not only places journalists and media under siege in Uganda but also obscures the truth and undermines democracy.

Muzafalu Katamba, media and communication instructor at, Islamic University in Uganda. [email protected]