By Andrew Irumba
Kampala:The Chairman of National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Kin Kariisa and the executive yesterday met the EC Chairman Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama and the Commissioners, to discuss how the media can support the revised EC roadmap for the 2020/21 General Elections.
Chairperson Kariisa reiterated NAB’s commitment to working with the EC to ensure voter sensitization and education while observing COVID-19 safety guidelines.
According To Kin, NAB is well strategic and ready to support Electoral Commission to achieve the following objectives;
a) Use the mass media to carry out massive voter education across the country using the electronic, digital and other platforms to ensure we fulfill your objective of having an informed, educated electorate ahead of the elections.
b) Deliver credible and accurate information from Electoral Commission to the electorate hence fighting the effects of fake news that is now rampant.
c) Work with the Electoral Commission to publicize and popularize the digital tools such as the electronic voter register, the polling station locator among others, through our various platforms to facilitate a simpler way to engage and empower the voters.
d) Working with our members to ensure people with disabilities have access to election coverage by delivering content in a manner that favours them.
However to achieve the above, NAB and Electoral Commission agreed that the following need to be put in place;
i) Training the media practitioners to ensure fair, balanced and accurate coverage of the electoral processes.
ii) A meeting with editors to discuss and agree on how to fight fake news and handle election coverages fairly and professionally
iii) EC and NAB to draw a media plan that will afford EC effective use of our platforms to mobilize, sensitize and empower the voters and general public
iv) Develop guidelines to ensure equitable access for all contestants.
WHAT IS NAB?
National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) is the collective voice of Uganda’s radio, television and online broadcasters. NAB engages in advocacy, training and innovation, and advances interests of members for growth of the broadcast industry.
In partnership with Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), NAB Uganda has supported broadcast research, policy planning and implementation, digital migration process, and lobbied on behalf of members amongst various other key activities since inception in 1999.
The scope of NAB now includes digital/online broadcasters besides Commercial Radio, Community Radio, Free-to-air TV and Pay TV.
NAB also work closely with the print media through their partnership with Uganda Media Owners Association.
