The management of Top Radio and Top TV has called for a total ban on opposition politicians and other voices critical of government from its shows.
Program directors, presenters, and producers at the Church-based media outlets are required to enforce and implement this directive, and anyone found culpable will face penalties and automatic dismissal, an internal memo issued by the Management said in part.
They urged that presenters are not allowed to discuss negative political sentiment in all their shows and should also not allow callers who attack government.
“No one is allowed to host guests and politicians critical of government and its policies,” the memo read.
The two media outlets are affiliated to Christian Life Church, Makerere-Kavule which is led by Pastor Jackson and Eve Senyonga.
Sources said Thursday that the directive was enforced after back-and-forth meetings between the management at Top Radio with Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) officials.
“This comes against a backdrop of increased violations of media freedoms and crackdowns on media and journalists perceived to be critical of government,” the source reported , noting that Top Radio has already changed some of its panelists in political programs.
Our efforts to reach the top administration were still in vain by press time however, this directive continues to draw mixed reactions on social media.
African Centre of Media Excellence (ACME) yesterday added their voice to that of the United States Ambassador to Uganda, Ms Deborah Malac who on 5 December described the media environment in Uganda as “increasingly threatening” and reminded government of its responsibility to “safeguard the constitutional right” to safeguard a free media.
Human Rights Network for Journalists – Uganda, a local body that fights for press freedom, told local press 45 journalists have been arrested, 29 assaulted, two radio stations switched off this year alone, showing Uganda is increasingly becoming dangerous for journalists to work in.
“All of these events undermine the constitutional right of freedom of the press in Uganda, and they hurt the development of the country. I could go on, but the point is that journalists are facing a harsh and increasingly threatening environment,” Ms Deborah Malac said.
A section of readers of the Observer newspaper which on Thursday shared the memo, stated that the TV and radio owners “have lost truck for ruling out political opponents” over the current regime. Others said communications regulator, UCC “is scaring media and some people are choosing to be protective of their property.”
“We don’t need to blame Top media management but the forces behind it, Mutabazi is determined to shut down all media not promoting NRM projects, just watch the space; more joining top media in ban,” social media user under account name Ambrose Twine Amatsiko said.
Luswata Albert said, “By choosing a political side and not promotion of the truth, justice, respect for human dignity, that TV and radio cannot claim Christian credentials but a work of the devil. You can’t be Christian and keep quiet in front of injustices just to retain a licence of an earthly power,”
Alex Bahati said: “When opposition politicians offer tithe and thanksgivings in the church, shouldn’t such offerings also be rejected?”
