By Spy Uganda
The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has called for a stakeholder meeting to deliberate on the inappropriate content aired on various TVs, radios and online channels.
In the letter addressed to Chairman National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), UCC Executive Director, Hon Nyombi Thembo says the meeting will be held on Wednesday, 23rd October at UCC House Bugolobi at 10am.
“The Commission has organised a stakeholder meeting to deliberate on the public outcry and pave the way for recommendations that will safeguard the public from harmful and inappropriate content, especially for vulnerable groups such as children,” reads the UCC letter, “the Commission hereby invites you to the meeting on Wednesday, 23rd October 2024 at UCC House Bugolobi at 10.00am.”
UCC says for long the public has been raising an alarm over ‘sexually disturbing’ music videos and other content despite multiple reminders and warnings, including formal communications issued on August 9, 2021, and October 25, 2023.
“This resurgence is marked by the dissemination of music, videos, and interviews featuring offensive and obscene material. Notably, many performances include scantily clad artists engaging in sexually suggestive dances, alongside songs rife with explicit innuendo and inappropriate messaging,” says UCC.
The scheduled meeting follows a notice issued last week warning media companies to be mindful of the the Minimum Broadcasting Standards as specified in Section 31 and Schedule 4 of the Uganda Communications Act, 2013. This legislation mandates that broadcasters ensure their programming aligns with public morality, adheres to existing laws, and properly schedules adult-oriented content.
“In light of these violations, the UCC has issued a directive to all broadcasters—television, radio, and online—to ensure that all content, including music videos and audio tracks, is accurately classified by the Media Council before airing, as stipulated under the Press and Journalist Act, Cap. 105,” UCC warned adding that failure to adhere to these regulations will result in appropriate legal consequences.
