SECTOR 4 different angles. Fairness and objectivity are compromised by who is the main shareholder.” When it comes to covering issues such as human rights, the problem is more journalists’ lack of understanding of the subject. “But they try to be accurate as much as their understanding of the topic can be.” Non-media panellists also questioned the media’s news values. Civil society organisations try to provide journalists with information, “but they end up writing their own thing”. “So you ask yourself: How much can we work together with the media towards portraying something that is accurate? When you invite journalists there is always that worry of: will we get what we want? Is it (reporting) about selling a paper with the editor deciding the news angle, or is it about conveying what we (civil society) want? Because we also have an agenda. How do we harmonise the media’s agenda and ours? That’s where we really knock heads.” In an attempt to get their message across, civil society organisations have tried paying journalists financial incentives. “They will only cover you depending on how much facilitation you give them. What we have seen is that, the moment you pay, the more likely you will be covered.” “You need to have a lot of money to have a story published accurately. Small organisations don’t have enough money to influence coverage.” Another panellist responded: “But these stories can’t be accurate because they are backed by payment!” In this respect, there has been “a total distortion between the role of a journalist and an information officer”. “Because a journalist has been paid, you expect the information to be reproduced word for word.” There is a need for NGOs and media to come together to see how the two parties can work together. Media Some of the panellists from the media accepted the criticism of their civil society colleagues. But circumstances often dictate how a story comes out. “When a story comes to a newspaper there are several things you must consider: The reporter, the source and the editor who is going to handle this story. By the time you have the story published, the editor must trust the information the reporter has provided. Correct information is sometimes very elusive. Every day we receive complaints. But I can assure you when it comes to issues of governance and human rights, there will always be a guilty person in every story. You are not going to give the same right of reply to a torturer as you do to someone else.” It is often difficult to get comment from those featured in a story. “For some time we have been trying to get comment from the Attorney-General, and every time AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER UGANDA 2012 61