SECTOR 4 Developments since 2007 and the way forward Positive developments in the media environment: • Launch of the Independent Media Council as a self-regulatory body • Launch of Article 29 Coalition, a new lobby group formed by the most important media bodies • Growth in number of media outlets both print and electronic • Increasing Internet penetration • Sale of 27 per cent of previously state-owned shares in The Vision Group on the stock market • Efforts by the media industry to reach many more areas by opening more distribution outlets as the national road network improves • Resilience of the media industry and journalists despite political and economic pressures • The courts’ willingness to hear cases challenging sedition, criminal defamation, promotion of sectarianism laws – all impinging free expression Negative developments in the media environment: • Narrowing of space: September 2009 riots leading to banning of ebimeeza (outside broadcast talk shows), closure of some radio stations, of which one – Central Broadcasting Service – remains closed five months on • Planned amendments to the Press and Journalist Act to introduce, for example, the annual licensing of newspapers • Tabling of The Regulation of Interception of Communications Bill, 2007 in parliament • Media concentration, especially by the Vision Group (New Vision) • Many media owners not defending media freedom AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER UGANDA 2010 71