Online Media Practitioners and UCC managers pose for a photo.
By Ambrose Rwabikinga and George Bukenya
Uganda Communication Commission (UCC) has called upon all online media platforms owners to register with UCC or face closure of their sites by the regulator.
The call was made by various UCC speakers during a one day engagement meeting with online media proprietors and reporters held at the UCC Head Office in Bugolobi, a Kampala suburb on Monday.
Hon. Nyombi Thembo, UCC Executive Director, said the media regulator is not intending to suffocate online media practitioners but to put in place regulations so as to control and guide online news flow as well as protecting others from offensive communication, and ensuring accurate and balanced reporting.
He cited hate speech, pornography and offensive online communication as being part of the reason UCC is requiring all online platforms to register their businesses.
“Registration also helps online media proprietors to higher chances of getting business inform of adverts from Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and from private corporate companies.’’ Hon Nyombi said.
“You should work towards self-regulation just like other professionals like Engineers, Doctors and Lawyers do before government comes in with its long arm of UCC. Professionalism first is a very important aspect in digital media.’’
“ We ought to start working on this journey to make digital space valuable for us all. As professional communicators we should be informed about the legal framework.’’
“Online writers should be professional and widely knowledgeable in the subject matter they intend to put out for public consumption”, he also added.
Mr. Abudu Waiswa Sallam, UCC Head of Legal Affairs, said there are over 200 media online platforms in the country, yet only three online content providers and 35 valid online data providers are registered.
Mr. Waiswa said the registration fees for online media house is only UGX 100,000 ($USD 27) annually. He called on non-registered online media houses to ensure they register their online platforms as soon as possible, or else face closure by the regulator.
“ According to Technopedia, “New Media” is all websites and online platforms that come up due to Innovation and Technology”, he said, adding that; it’s the major reason UCC is to register all online media platforms and shut down those that will not comply.
Waiswa said that Article 43 of the National constitution enjoins government to restrict any person’s enjoyment of his or her fundamental rights in order to protect others and Public interest.
“Whatever UCC is doing is under law, people have challenged us in courts of law but we have won them because there arguments lacked merit.’’ Waiswa boosted.
Government requires all digital media content providers to follow legal means of registration just like other business for instance registration with Uganda registration Service Bureau, URA for TIN number and then with the UCC for an operational licence.