RESPECT JOURNALISTS

This is a journalist speaking from Makerere university.Just like many developing countries,journalists are treated like criminals,if not worse.The representative government inUganda does not recognise this informing body.Their role is neglected as codes and unfair laws are enacted each day for them to follow.

The constitution states clearly that there is freedom of expression.According to louis Hodges,journalists should keep checks on the government and inform the puplic,but i am surprised that in Uganda,the role has changed as the goververnt is the one putting checks on the media.look at our role model journalists like Andrew Mwenda,he has been in and out of prison,accused of sedation,defamation or name any crime you may think of,not to forget cases like interfering with national security.

There should be a law indicating clearly how far the government should stretch its hand on the media not only giving media freedom of expression through the front door and taking it from them using the back door with reasons like national security.One leader in Kenya stated that no one is more Kenyan than him and everyone belongs and cares about his country same as the other and therefore journalists should be treated with respect just like any other person in the society.

We know the work of doctors,lawyers,teachers and we respect them without intervention.Why cant the journalists be left to perform their duty of informing the puplic without any government intervention?