The Uganda Communications Commission has announced a crackdown on broadcasters airing out inappropriate and offensive content.
UCC Executive Director, Nyombi Thembo said despite previous calls for media houses to maintain minimum broadcasting standards, there has not been any heed to the advice.
“UCC has previously issued warning and reminders about this behaviour but some broadcasters continue to disregard these warnings. We have realized that most of this offensive content has shifted to be hidden into music videos. Now, words have stopped and is time for action,” Thembo said.
The UCC boss said a number of media houses are competing against each other on broadcasting inappropriate content that he said cannot be allowed to continue since it stifles the country’s development.
“As Uganda and Africans, there are things which are not acceptable in our culture. Countries like China which have held so much to their culture have used it for their development. Therefore, anything that would want to dilute our culture, we can’t accept it. As UCC, our work is to implement the law. I want to assure you we shall implement the law to the latter. made by parliament on behalf of the people of Uganda and ours is to implement it. Having talked for many years and realizing this seems not to work, time is now for action.”
The whip
The UCC Executive Director said among the punishments to be given to media houses that violate the minimum broadcasting standards will include revocation of licences and fines.
“We have powers to fine you up to 10% of your annual gross revenue. This is not a joke, the invoices are coming. We should now touch where it pains most. We are now going for maximum which are fines and revocation of licences. If you make shs1 billion, we shall deduct shs100 million in fines,” Nyombi Thembo said.
He said going forward, all content, including music videos and audios should be properly classified by media council before being aired in accordance with the Press and Journalist Act.