{As we approach the 2016 general elections, media personalities have been tasked to hold candidates of both the opposition and the ruling party National Resistance Movement (NRM) accountable to the promises they make in their manifestos.}
Ofowno Opondo the government and also NRM spokesperson noted that the media most especially journalists and political talk show hosts should ensure the politicians first account for their promises to ensure the country has a credible election process.
“Most of these politicians make endless promises that only excite voters who end up making wrong decisions, once they make their pledges ask them to account like where they will get resources and what they intend to work upon,” he said.
Opondo tasked Journalists during a meeting on Thursday from Budekea, Elgon, Teso and Eastern that was also attended by Resident District Commissioners (RDC’S) Rex Achilla from Jinja, Martin Olwoch from Tororo, John Stephen Ekoom from Soroti and James Shilaku of Mbale district.
The meeting that was organized by the Uganda Media Centre at Mbale sports club was aimed at empowering media personalities to ensure independence while covering the coming elections rather than depending so much on politicians which jeopardizes their work.
Opondo warned that the media should drive national issues in the right direction rather than depending on politicians who abuse power for political gains.
He noted that most radio stations are owned by both politicians and business oriented people which leads to unbalance and misguided reporting to the public.
“90% of the radio stations in this country are owned by politicians and the business people and this affects the day to day work of media personalities yet they need to be balance. As government , we shall bring this to the attention of the Uganda Broadcasters Association to lobby for balance of airtime and space for the various candidates both from the ruling party and the opposition,” he noted.
Opondo advised talk show hosts and news anchors to form an association that should have rules and regulations and also be recognized by the government.
“Once you have an association registered with guiding principal, it will be the duty of government to recognize your work in building the society. However much each personality is partisan, it will also help you reduce on bias and also not tarnish the image of your media houses,” he cautioned.
Opondo cautioned media personalities to critically analyze the information they get from social media like twitter handle.
He noted that some people with ill-minds have many accounts which they use to make posts targeting to confuse the masses.
Achilla, the RDC from Jinja cautioned them to stop isolating themselves from security operatives but instead work closely with them.
Achilla asked the participants to have love for their country to promote peace and stability to avoid a situation that once happened in Kenya where over 4000 people lost lives.
“Don’t isolate yourselves from us while carrying out your work because you give sensitive information and it’s our duty to protect you and also the nation,” he urged.
Ekoom, the RDC from Soroti urged media personalities to clearly identify themselves to securities operatives and also to avoid mob justices.
THE NEW VISION
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