Journalists in the Karamoja sub-region marked World Press Freedom Day this year with a rare blend of public dialogue and community service, underscoring their commitment to both free expression and local development.
The commemorations began on May 2 with a special live radio talk show on Ateker FM, bringing together some of the region’s leading media figures.
Among the panellists were Richard Oyel, Bureau Chief of Next Media in Karamoja; Godfrey Eyoku of Uganda Radio Network; Timothy Eodu, news editor at Akica FM; Suwed Munirah of Ateker Radio; and Cinderella Atenyo, a presenter at Ateker FM.
The programme was hosted by Eunice Akol Tata.
They engaged in a frank discussion on the pressing challenges facing the press in Karamoja, including intimidation by security forces, restricted access to public information, persistent regional insecurity, and the emerging risks posed by misinformation and artificial intelligence.
On May 3, the journalists took to the streets of Moroto Town for a community cleaning exercise, joined by officers from the Uganda Police Force and the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF).
The exercise was part of a broader message: that media workers are not just chroniclers of society but active participants in its wellbeing.
The day’s events culminated with a visit to Moroto Regional Referral Hospital, where journalists donated essential items to the children’s ward, offering relief and encouragement to young patients and their caregivers.
“This year, we chose to commemorate World Press Freedom Day by making a visible and lasting impact on our community,” said Suwed Munirah.
“It’s not just about defending press freedom; it’s about showing that we stand with the people we report about.”
In a region often marked by volatility and hardship, the journalists’ actions offered a poignant reminder of the enduring public service role of the media, even under difficult and often dangerous conditions.