Uganda
give directions to the presenter by phone during a live discussion to
make him/her pursue a specific line or to be hard or soft on certain
people. Some even demand to go on-air themselves.
At the Monitor the Executive Editor has the final say and in most
cases this arrangement works. He might be called to explain certain
decisions after a story is published.
Government makes it increasingly difficult for owners not to interfere because of regular threats in particular from the President.
For example, he met media owners and managers in April 2007 and
complained about the media being used by “saboteurs”: “There are
now 140 radio stations and 20 TV stations. I am happy about all this.
I am, however, disappointed about the irresponsibility, irrationality
of the use of your media houses and propensity to allow your media
houses to be used by saboteurs of Uganda’s and Africa’s future. A
media house is licensed to inform, educate and entertain. It is not
licensed to misinform, sabotage and annoy sections of the public
without good reason.” After this meeting some radio owners gave
instructions to presenters not to allow certain people as guests on
talk shows any more.
SCORES:
Individual scores:
Average:
4.8

1, 1, 1, 2, 1, 2, 2, 2, 1, 1
1.4

Salary levels and general working conditions for journalists
and other media practitioners are adequate to discourage
corruption.

ANALYSIS:
The salary of staff reporters varies between 300.000 and 500.000
African Media Barometer - Uganda 2007

35

Select target paragraph3