Greater Masaka Journalists celebrates World Press Freedom Day Amidst their Rights Violations

Uganda’s Journalists under their umbrella Greater Masaka Journalist Association (GMJA)  have joined the European Journalists Union in celebrating World Press freedom by expressing their demand from the government for their rights and freedom while exercising their duties.

On a rainy Sunday, Journalists braved the heavy rains and commemorated World press freedom Day at Pewosa Building led by President elect Farish Magembe, a Next Media bureau Chief attached to Next Media Television amidst pomp, lectures and recognising the beauty of the pen and the camera in disseminating the information to higher masses.

The Day’s chief Guest also the State Minister for Microfinance Minister Haruna Kasolo provided shs: 1 million and promised to provide for the journalist’s Sacco with funds as a away of extending economic development for the foot soldiers.

”We are willing to fight for the rights of the journalists regardless of the hostile environment we are working in including facing intimidation from the politicians but we shall fight them as an association if they fail to work and embrace our efforts as journalists,” shared Farish Magembe.

Hon. Mathias Mpuuga, the commissioner of Parliament and the Member of Parliament for Nyendo Mukungwe Constituency supported journalist’s Sacco with shs: 2 million and challenged the public on oppressing journalists and promised to work with them to develop their level of earnings and fighting for their rights as a legislator and a lawyer.

” It is a calling to exercise yourself as a journalist but I am too concerned about politicians using journalists as tools used in carrying wrong information and emerging online blogs and sites that publish wrong information too. I am here to thank everyone for the good work done to celebrate and unit as a Family which is heavily one way of developing. Journalism is a lowly paying job but exercising it with wisdom and passion could extend one to higher achievement so I am happy with the initiative of the Journalists Sacco, ” shared Mpuuga.

As part of the day’s agenda, journalists led by Patience Ampaire observed that intimidation of women in the profession is increasing as the international Women’s Media Report provides 64 percent of Women are sexually harrased by men and their employers at work.

Additionally, journalists were lectured by Counsel Majeran Kazibwe also the Aspiring Member of Parliament for Bukoto Central Constituency on legal matters concerning the journalism profession.

“One of the core tenants of journalism as a profession is for the journalists to have the right to seek news freely, publish articles and opinions without interference and have full protection and promotion of independence,” he said.

As for clarity, Article 42 provides for the access of information to all journalists but Counsel Magejan observed that journalists have been denied access to relevant matter and information from some government officials part of limitations of press freedom

”Cyber crimes act and computer misuse act as well as recording people’s privacy without their consent is one of the emerging conundrums surrounding the growth of journalism in Uganda,” he added.

As the legal fraternity, Counsel Samuel Muyizzi commended Journalists for the good work done and observed that news are new business as some media houses are too political and bitter switch relationship among the reporters and their sources is disappointing.