Press freedom and independent media nourishes democracy

_________________

OPINION

By Robert Kigongo

‘A critical, independent and investigative press is the life blood of any democracy’ -- Nelson Mandela.

Fortunately, based on some of my articles in Uganda print media like New Vision and policy dialogues, I can state ‘am still a living witness that Uganda the Pearl of Africa besides the election period has registered great strides towards free press and independent media.’

Holistically, there are numerous public debates shaping national issues politics, governance, taxation, and healthcare and gender disparities, climate change and sustainable development.

Prospectively, In regards to climate change and environmental restoration New Vision has gone an extra mile to publish the’ Green Uganda’ every weekend and distribute free copies to green schools as an effort towards climate information dispensation.’

Men Soccer matches have been played to spur social cohesion and harmony between journalists and security forces.

In 2022 and 2023 respectively, Office of the High Commissioner for United Nations Human Rights in partnership with government of Uganda honoured the outstanding journalists including New Vision’s Gerald Tenywa who reports on climate change, Ali Mivule a news anchor at National Media Group, Mildred Tuhaise of Next Media with an objective to encourage and inspire them to remain committed.

Unfortunately, this not case in most world parts of world as we join the United Nations to commemorate of the World Press Freedom Day.

In West Africa the totalitarian government of Burkina Faso suspending BBC in the country while the Hamas-Israel conflict war the Hamza a journalist and son of Aljazeera owner Wael al-Dahdouh  was killed by an Israel airstrike.

The World Press freedom is an opportunity to remind governments all over the world to respect press freedoms.

Subsequently, to journalists it’s an opportunity to reflect on their professional values and ethics amidst the catastrophic rise of citizen journalism seasoned with mis-information and dis-information.

‘World press freedom day 2024, comes a time when everyone with a smart phone via social Media Apps has become a news junkie leading to unnecessary competition with professional journalists charged with a duty of dispensing credible information and contemporary breaking news.’

Regardless of the rise in citizen journalism, the professional journalists are reminded by the United Nations (UNESCO) ‘To defend the media from attacks on their and the independence assess the state of press freedom throughout the world.’

Upon the World press freedom day journalists can celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom and sadly pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

In 2023, there was an attempt by the Executive army of government to completely take away all government business from Private media houses to a state owned media’s, even thou the Plans were halted but this was a direct hard attack on fair sharing of the national resources an ingredient that nourishes democracy.

The role of press freedoms in advancing democracy is undisputed, Press companies and journalists are at the fore front of advancing and implementing the principles of Democracy.

Sadly, Media houses and journalists continue to face digital repression, online surveillance, cyber stalking from security agencies and state, heavy tax burdens and penalties, threats of certificate termination, political compromise, brutality marred upon journalists.

For example, in 2023 the coverage of Intern Doctors demanding for a Fair pay, followed countless precedents where journalists.

Media personnel’s have suffered with tear gas in the hands of security agencies; For instance Jimmy Akena of Reuters and Irene Abalo of National Media group respectively.

To date, Irene will never recover from permanent injuries that were inflicted on them, while covering Political engagement by Security organs that a charged with a duty to protect citizens.

Many journalists who have got to courts of law have not received justice effectively, yet we all know justice delayed is justice denied.

Journalists even after sustaining injuries while on duty hardly receive sufficient medical treatment and bill.

Consequentially, ill behaviour by media owners and perpetuators has discouraged journalists from covering democratic exercises.

In my own personal opinion for Uganda to avoid future calamities similar to West African countries like Gabon, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Sudan NRM government and Security organs, judiciary must learn to embrace Democratic principles by guarantying an independent and critical Free Press.

Free press is widely regarded as a cornerstone of democratic societies were journalists, media.

A robust and independent media plays a vital role in upholding democratic principles and ensuring transparency, accountability, and the protection of citizens' rights.

A free press serves as a watchdog, holding those in power accountable and exposing corruption or wrongdoing.

It provides citizens with access to diverse and reliable information, enabling them to make informed decisions and participate actively in democratic processes.

Furthermore, a free press fosters public debate, encourages the exchange of ideas, and safeguards freedom of expression.

By providing a platform for different perspectives and challenging the status quo, a free press contributes to the vitality and resilience of democratic societies. Overall, a free press is essential for the functioning of democracy, as it empowers citizens, promotes transparency, and helps maintain a healthy balance of power.

The best recommendations to ensure that press freedoms prevail in order to nourishing Democracy came from.

‘We must make every effort to ensure that journalists are protected from bleaches of privacy, in order to safeguard their work, which is crucial to create public awareness and ensure accountability’ by H.E Cristian Espoinosa Canizare chair United Nations committee on Information.

“Together we can help to ensure that those who dedicate their lives to informing and educating us and do better jobs, safely and without repercussion” by Merissa Flemings –Undersecretary General for Global Communication.

‘By protecting Journalists, we protect our freedoms, we protect our societies, and we protect ourselves most importantly’ by H.E Mr.Abdulla Shahid during the 76^thUnited Nations General assembly.

Remarkably, the United Nations Secretary General “Without freedom of Press, there are No real democracies, without freedom of press there is no freedom.”

‘My clarion call to the governments and partners on World Press Freedom day and onwards endeavour respect press freedom.

My beloved country Uganda allow “Uganda Journalists Association” (UJA) to conduct fresh elections in order to have a democratically elected leadership!

To all journalists and media professionals avoid biased reporting of information, but most importantly we greatly appreciate your civic educative contributions you offering to democratic societies.

The vision of Nelson Mandela will come to life when journalists spear head the efforts in democratisation of Africa.

The writer is a democracy deliverer and Press freedom rights activist and a sustainable development analyst