CHAPTER 5: SIGNIFICANT THEMES the political class, and the transition to digital production. Negative developments included the deteriorating quality of journalism, greater instability among journalists, worsening working conditions of journalists, increased untrained media practitioners, and reluctance to promote the interests of women and minorities. 2021 AMB Positive developments highlighted in this AMB included improvements to the legal framework following the passing of a progressive Media and Communication Code (2020), improved training opportunities for journalists, public participation in broadcast programmes, legal recognition of online journalism in the new code, improved quality of media productions, ongoing negotiations over collective agreements to improve the working conditions of journalists, diversification of media content and improvement in investigative journalism practice. Negative developments included an increase in the prosecution of journalists, poor working conditions and low wages of media workers, low compliance with ethical codes, increased self-censorship, decreased credibility of media outlets, breakdown and fragmentation of media organisations, and the shrinking of the advertising market. Recommendations were to promote the findings of the AMB and set up a monitoring and evaluation mechanism, media company management training, and advocate for improving journalists’ working conditions. Uganda 2012 AMB Positive developments highlighted in this AMB included improvements in internet access, growing media audiences, increased social media users, new publications, access to ICT included in the national development plan, the abolishment of legislation outlawing sedition, the merging of the Communication Commission and the Broadcasting Council, and increased citizen engagement. Negative developments included the harassment and killing of journalists, increased self-censorship, the Uganda Communications Regulatory Authority Bill’s failure to address issues raised by media freedom advocates, government interference with the state broadcaster, and increased corruption in the media. Recommendations included increased literacy on the role of the media in a democracy and strengthening journalists’ unions to protect them from harassment. 42 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER 11 YEARS IN REVIEW