SECTOR 3 Scores: Individual scores: 1 Country does not meet indicator 2 Country meets only a few aspects of indicator 3 Country meets some aspects of indicator 4 Country meets most aspects of indicator 5 Country meets all aspects of the indicator Average score: 2.0 (2012 = 1.0; 2010 = 1.1; 2007 = 1.0) 3.5 The editorial independence of the state/public broadcaster from political influence is guaranteed by law and practised to ensure balanced and fair news and current affairs programmes. Article 5(h) of the UBC Act states that the function of the Corporation will be “to maintain a responsible editorial independence.” Section 22 (a-g) spells out the Corporation’s editorial policy, and defines how the broadcaster should operate. Amongst these inclusions are the requirements that the Board shall in particular, have as its editorial policy: a. b. c. d. To establish effective machinery for a wide coverage of events all-over the world and Uganda in particular; To voice public opinion and criticism of a given public policy in a fair and objective manner; To collect, process, analyse and propagate news and comment truthfully, honestly, and fairly without jeopardizing peace and harmony in the country; To respect and uphold the sovereignty and unity of Uganda and to come out firmly on the side of Uganda in matters affecting such sovereignty and unity without affecting the truth, which must at all times be the guiding line and governing principle of the television and radio services. While the law established the UBC’s independence as noted above, perspectives on whether the UBC practices its editorial independence differed, with some panellists stating, “This is practiced to a particular extent”, and others arguing that, “UBC’s content does not resonate with the needs of the people in that the content is not driven by the public.” 56 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER UGANDA 2016