By Our Reporter.
Media stakeholders under the National Mechanism on Safety of Journalists in Uganda attended a workshop on June 13, 2023 in Mbale city and June 15, in Arua city to discuss freedom of expression, access to information and safety of journalists.
The workshops were organised with support from the Uganda National Commission for UNESCO, and drew participants from top in Police and the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF), Resident City Commissioners, Mayors, human rights organisations, trade union leaders, representatives of the legal profession, media owners., Editors News Reporters, politicians, cultural and religious leaders , among others. Participants at the two workshops noted that media practitioners in Uganda are increasingly being harassed, assaulted and intimidated from executing their duties., with impunity increasing in the country.
Uganda National Commission for UNESCO Assistant Secretary General Dr Dominic Mundrugo said his organisation defends and promotes freedom of expression, media independence, access to information, pluralism and media development. “UNESCO will continue to work with stakeholders under the National Mechanism on Safety of Journalists in Uganda, and to generally effect media development,” he said. Officer in Charge Field Force Unit (FFU), based in Mbale IP Samson Okello said he is enjoying a working relationship with journalists in his region. He regretted the few incidents that occured in the past where police unleashed tear gas on the media especially during election campaigns. “We must work towards protecting journalists as a way of allowing the media to play its development role in our society,” he said.
Arua Resident City Commissioner Dr. Alice Akello castigated journalists who are used by politicians to drive diversive and retrogressive agenda aimed at character assasination and maligning leaders. She said although journalists have played a positive role in the fight against corruption some few media practitioners are “agents” of corruption as they cover-up exposing certain individuals. “Journalists are safe in West Nile and are enjoying peace and stability ushered in by the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government. Media practitioners should practice ethical and responsible journalism that develops the country.
Regional Police Commander (RPC) West Nile Assistant Commissioner of Police Eddie Serunjogi told the Workers Eye that they are promoting a disciplined conduct of security officials. “Police and other security officials who commit crimes against the media shall face the law and get prosecuted in their individual capacities,” he said. Head of Journalism and Mass Communication at Uganda Christian University(UCU) Dr Emily Maratctho advised participants to use freedom of expression to advance developments in society. She said: “Freedom of expression is not a monopoly of media practitioners but all stakeholders. Dr Maractho advised journalists to take safety as a significant component in their profession. Uganda Journalists Union (UJU) General Secretary Mr Stephen Ouma Bwire said under the National Mechanism on Safety of Journalists key stakeholders in the media industry dialogue on safety of journalists.
“The mechanism addresses Prevention of crimes against journalists, protection of journalists and Prosecution of perpetrators of crimes against journalists,” he said. The next workshop will be in Mbarara.
Guidelines for journalists while covering protests
1. Reporters should carry Identification such as their National Identity Card and a copy of their press card in an accessible place to clearly identify themselves as journalists but conceal it if it attracts unwarranted attention.
2. Media houses need to equip their journalists with anti-riot gear while sending them to cover volatile events. Journalists need to have reflector flak jackets with the name of their media organization boldly inscribed on them.
3. Journalists covering riots, protests and demonstrations should be trained in covering violent conflicts.
4. Deployers must have a good understanding of hazards, controls and competencies including experience in relation to public disorder and ensure teams are adequate in number, appropriately trained, selected, briefed and directed.
5. The Media should keep professional conduct and remain outside the action of the demonstration.
6. The Media should be independent from the themes of the protests.
7. Any situation can be dynamic and fast changing, so any risk assessment should be kept under constant review as the situation develops and as information is gathered from various agencies including those on the ground.
8. Journalists should expect fair and restrained treatment by the Police and should not simply be adamant to obeying instructions from the Police. While in the field covering demonstrations, journalists need to follow the guidelines given to them by security organizations. Journalists should remain calm and take the position of ‘an observer instead of ‘participant’. They should remain calm if arrested and wait for an opportunity to make their case.
9. Withdraw to a safe area, if faced with direct aggression, if weapons appear or crowd dispersal techniques are used. Inform your deployer/ line manager about the situation.
10. The journalists should take note of the events surrounding the demonstrations and take note of the human rights violators, their names and everything for evidence after on their assault.
11. The Media should be fair and balanced in the way they report; thinking about how to be fair to the protestors and to those who might disagree as they go about gathering their story. For the public deserves fair, truthful coverage that enlightens rather than simply enflames through (often hateful) rhetoric.
12. Journalists should cross-check and double check all information before it is published and to follow guidelines on live coverage that emphasize the need for a minute delay to avoid issues that may have a negative effect on the public.
13. Journalists should endeavor to work in pairs for support in case the protesters turn violent. Journalists should establish pre-arranged contact points with the rest of the team if they are separating. The journalist should have contacts with both field and office team to facilitate communication and call for help/assistance in case of any violence.
14. Journalists should remain calm and focused when things get intense and avoid being part of the protesters.
15. Journalists should take note of the names of the aggressors and report them to the authorities if assaulted or abused in anyway.
Guidelines to law enforcement officers while covering protests
1. Peaceful protests, whether authorised or not, play a vital role in a democratic society and should not be sacrificed on the altar of security and anti-terrorism measures.
2. The law-enforcement officials should adopt and implement a human rights-based approach to policing protests, through training police in the use of nonviolent, dialogue-oriented crowd control methods, and effectively investigate and adequately sanction all instances of ill-treatment committed by law-enforcement officials.
3. Law-enforcement officials should avoid the use of force or, where that is not practicable, shall restrict such force to the minimum extent necessary.
4. The “use of firearms’’ by law enforcement authorities against persons should be limited except when strictly unavoidable to protect human life. Firearms should only be used as a last resort and be such as to minimise damage and loss of life.
5. A system for monitoring the use of force, which must include a requirement for law-enforcement officials to report any use of it, should be in place. This system should take into account the law governing use of equipment during protests, the training on its use [and] the quantities and nature of equipment held.
6. The development and deployment of non-lethal incapacitating weapons should be carefully evaluated in order to minimize the risk of endangering uninvolved persons and the use of such.
7. Strategies of crowd control that rely on containment must only be used exceptionally for it is against the right to liberty. These should not be used directly or indirectly to stifle or discourage the protest.
8. Law enforcement officials should undertake regular and adequate training, including on human rights principles, of police personnel. Practical training on the use of force and limits with regard to established human rights principles, should be included in police training at all levels
9. Police officers need to know how and when to use the equipment but knowing its capabilities, its purpose and its limitations.
10. Assistance and medical aid to those affected by the use of force during protests must be ensured at the earliest possible moment in order to minimise adverse effects on life and health.
11. Dialogue between law-enforcement officers and protesters is also important in order to inform the latter what security and public safety measures will be taken. Precautionary measures, such as directing the demonstrators could be an effective way to ensure that the protests remain peaceful. 12. Arbitrary or abusive use of force and firearms by law-enforcement is discarded■
