WAY FORWARD The way forward 1. What were the developments in the media environment in the last three/four years? Positive • • • • • • • The increase in the number of media houses – mainly radio and more TV stations – has increased the diversity and quality of coverage. There are enhanced training opportunities for media, particularly by ACME. Additionally, more development partners have been conducting media training; due to this, funding for the media sector is increasing. There is a push for increased training of journalists, but there is a need to consider practical ways in which journalists can access these learning opportunities. There is a greater understanding of the role of media. The enhanced partnership between the media and NGOs has helped to increase pro-bono legal services for media. Increased career opportunities in the field of journalism have encouraged people to remain in the industry. Even when people leave media, they still bounce back to provide support and feedback and training to the sector. Negative • • There has been a deliberate pushback from the State on some of the media houses reporting on politics. This has resulted in media having to tread more carefully, be more cautious as well as an increase in self-censorship; while some journalists have been moved out of the country. There has been an explosion of social media without clear professional or ethical standards being applied. 2. What kinds of activities are needed over the next 3-4 years? • 78 Pro-bono services for journalists: Stronger efforts are needed by the media and media lobby groups to get more lawyers to provide pro-bono services for journalists. This could include, for example, developing a media lawyers’ network to provide media support both in terms of research and defence. AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER UGANDA 2016