Uganda: Govt to probe media that turn away political parties

The Government is to investigate allegetions that opposition politicians are being denied air time on private television and radio stations, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Chief Whip in Parliament, Daudi Migereko has said.

Migereko was responding to concerns raised by MPs on Wednesday that some NRM people including Resident District Commissioners and District Internal Security Officers stop private media from hosting opposition politicians even when the air time is paid for.

“I assure opposition MPs and the media that it is one of the issues we are going to take up,” he said.

He, however, appealed to politicians to always settle their bills with the private media so as to continue getting air time.

This was at a seminar for parliamentarians, staff and journalists focusing on strengthening capacity of those working in Parliament held at the Imperial Royale Hotel, Kampala.

The Parliamentarians and journalists were discussing the topic, Parliament and the Media.

The seminar was organised by the Parliament in collaboration with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK Branch, as part of the Westminster Consortium.

Responding to complaints on accessing information from caucus meetings, Migereko expressed concern that a lot of coverage is often given to one or two divergent views that have come out caucuses.

-February 21, 2010 by Joyce Namutebi

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Source: www.sundayvision.co.ug/detail.php (accessed on 22.02.10)