Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has banned live broadcast of age limit events on radios and televisions saying they incite the public.
The directive comes high on heels of a protracted debate between ruling and opposition lawmakers against a disputable age limit motion on Tuesday which compelled the Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga to adjourn the House to Wednesday at 2pm.
The events were all aired live on main local television stations.
UCC head Eng Godfrey Mutabazi has since written to all radios and TVs saying they must comply with the order or risk being closed.
“The commission hereby directs all broadcasters to immediately stop and refrain from broadcasting live feeds
which are in breach of the minimum broadcasting standards
and the best practice guidelines for electronic media
coverage/ reporting and broadcasting of live events,” said
Mutabazi in a letter dated September 26.
He said the Commission had noted with concern that both radio and television broadcasting operators are relaying live
broadcasts which are “inciting the public, discriminating,
stirring up hatred, promoting a culture of violence amongst the
viewers and are likely to create public insecurity or violence.”
Mutabazi further said such live broadcasts are in breach of the
“minimum broadcasting standards” as laid down in section 31 of the UCC Act 2013 and “best practice guidelines” for electronic media coverage/reporting and broadcasting of live events.
In his letter to all broadcasters, Mutabazi said the Commission will not hesitate to “carry out enforcement for non- compliance” with these guidelines and that “any further breach will result in suspension and revocation of your license in accordance with section 41 of the UCC Act 2013.”
