By Spy Uganda
Kampala: According to the letter issued by Irene Kaggwa Sewankambo Ag. Executive Director-Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), Bukedde TV2’s Full Blast program that has been airing from 2200hrs to 2300hrs hosted by Godfrey Sseguya has been suspended over the ‘demeaning and abusive language used by the guests; Pastor Martin Ssempa, Isma Lubega and Jennipher Namutebi Nakangubi (a.k.a Full Figure) on 30th September 2021.
According to UCC, they received a complaint alleging that the producer or presenter of the program did not provide professional control or guidance to the guests during the program, which resulted into a physical confrontation between some of the guests.
The Commission’s letter further reveals that the program lacked decorum as it had content that indeed contained inappropriate (abusive or demeaning) language and degenerated into a shouting contest whereby guests traded accusations against others.
”The host or presenter of the program, Mr. Godfrey Sseguya, failed to exercise the required professionalism and ability to control or guide the guests during the program, which resulted into a physical confrontation between Pastor Ssempa and Ms. Jennipher Namutebi Nakangubi,” UCC noted.
The Commission adds that the content of the program has the potential or is likely to incite, perpetuate hatred and vilify individuals or sections of the community on account of the religion or culture of that person or section of the community. ”This is a breach of the Minimum Broadcasting Standards as enshrined in Section 31 and schedule 4 of the Uganda Communications Act, 2013 and Regulation 8(2)(a), 8(2)(d), and 8(3) of the Uganda Communications (Content) Regulations, S.I No.91 of 2019.”
The Commission accuses the show host, ”He fell below the professional standards and ethics expected of journalists as required under the Press and Journalist Act Cap 105. The host, Producer and Bukedde TV 2 exhibited gross unprofessionalism when they failed to control and guide the guests to the extent of letting the program degenerate into abusive verbal exchanges and physical altercations.”
It is against the above background that the Commission ordered for the immediate suspension of the airing of the program until Bukedde TV 2 has demonstrated to the Commission that the program has sufficient controls to avoid the risk of breaching the Minimum Broadcasting Standards and the rights of other members of the public.
The Commission further ordered Bukedde TV2 to make written submissions as to why regulatory sanctions should not be taken against the station for breach of the minimum broadcasting standards and also submit a script of the Program aired on 30th September 2021 clearly indicating and detailing what happened before, during and after the program.
The Commission further tasks the station to submit proof of availability of pre-listening devices or time delay equipment used in live broadcasts and submit proof of registration of the producer/editor of the program in accordance with section 5 of the Press and Journalist Act, Cap. 105.
”Please note that the above information and representations should be submitted to the Commission on or before 5pm on Tuesday 05th October 2021. Thereafter, the Commission will conduct a hearing into this matter on Thursday, 07th October 2021 at 10am. Kindly ensure attendance of the host/presenter, and the producer of the program,” the letter states.
UCC further warns, ”Please be advised that should Bukedde TV 2 fail and or refuse to adhere to the aforesaid directives, the Commission shall proceed to institute other appropriate regulatory sanctions against Bukedde TV 2, including but not limited to suspension of your broadcast license without further notice.”
