Journalist Urged to Defend Truth, Professionalism Ahead of Elections
Karugaba, in his keynote remarks, cautioned journalists against becoming tools of manipulation in the political season. “The job of a journalist is not to serve political interests but to serve the public with factual, verified, and balanced information,” he stressed.
Media practitioners have been urged to uphold truth, professionalism, and independence as Uganda heads into a critical election season.
Speaking at a media stakeholders’ dialogue at Makerere University on Tuesday, both Phillip Karugaba, a rule of law advocate, and Paul Ekochu, Chairman of the Media Council of Uganda, emphasized the central role of journalism in safeguarding democracy.
Karugaba, in his keynote remarks, cautioned journalists against becoming tools of manipulation in the political season. “The job of a journalist is not to serve political interests but to serve the public with factual, verified, and balanced information,” he stressed.
He challenged upcoming and practicing journalists to be defenders of the truth, warning that misinformation and disinformation pose a real threat to social cohesion. Karugaba further highlighted the need for a strong moral compass in journalism, reminding participants that professionalism begins with internal discipline: verifying facts, giving voice to diverse perspectives, and maintaining editorial independence.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Minister of ICT, Ekochu echoed Karugaba’s call, noting that the defense of truth must begin from within the journalism profession itself. “Before we even talk about external threats to journalism, the journalist must first defend the truth by how he or she practices their craft,” Ekochu said.
He emphasized relentless fact-checking, deep listening, and transparency in corrections, arguing that trust in the media must first be rebuilt from within professional circles. “When journalists are perceived as biased or careless, it erodes public trust and leaves room for propaganda,” he noted.
Ekochu warned that while attacks on journalists—physical or digital—are worrying, subtle threats such as commercial pressures, partisanship, and sensationalism also corrode the integrity of the profession. “Journalists today are being beaten not just by fists, but by brown envelopes, biases, and predators,” he said.
He reminded journalists that while everything reported must be true, not every truth needs to be reported without thoughtfulness. Citing a French philosopher, Ekochu remarked, “Everything you say must be true, but not everything true must be said,” urging the media to exercise sensitivity, especially in areas that could cause harm, such as personal medical details or unverified accusations.Delivering remarks on behalf of the Minister of ICT, Ekochu echoed Karugaba’s call, noting that the defense of truth must begin from within the journalism profession itself. “Before we even talk about external threats to journalism, the journalist must first defend the truth by how he or she practices their craft,” Ekochu said.
He emphasized relentless fact-checking, deep listening, and transparency in corrections, arguing that trust in the media must first be rebuilt from within professional circles. “When journalists are perceived as biased or careless, it erodes public trust and leaves room for propaganda,” he noted.
Ekochu warned that while attacks on journalists—physical or digital—are worrying, subtle threats such as commercial pressures, partisanship, and sensationalism also corrode the integrity of the profession. “Journalists today are being beaten not just by fists, but by brown envelopes, biases, and predators,” he said.
He reminded journalists that while everything reported must be true, not every truth needs to be reported without thoughtfulness. Citing a French philosopher, Ekochu remarked, “Everything you say must be true, but not everything true must be said,” urging the media to exercise sensitivity, especially in areas that could cause harm, such as personal medical details or unverified accusations.
Both speakers pointed to the rapid evolution of the media space, with the rise of citizen journalism, digital media, and social media platforms complicating traditional roles. Ekochu noted that the government, through the Ministry of ICT, is working on a new media law aimed at better defining and protecting professional journalism amid the changing media landscape.
The law, he said, is intended to distinguish trained journalists from untrained individuals broadcasting on public platforms without ethical standards. “It is not about gagging the media but protecting the profession,” Ekochu said, adding that consultations with stakeholders will soon be held before the bill is finalized.
He also recalled the government’s efforts during COVID-19 and the previous election cycles, where journalists were registered under the Media Council to ensure safer and more organized reporting during periods of restricted movement.
Both Karugaba and Ekochu called upon journalism students and young media practitioners present to commit themselves early to the ideals of truth-telling, fairness, and service to the public. “You are the ones who will write the first drafts of tomorrow’s history,” Ekochu told the students, urging them to build a journalism culture rooted in truth, transparency, and accountability.
As Uganda approaches a volatile political season, both leaders stressed the urgent need for unity within the media industry and for continued engagement with government and civil society actors to ensure the protection of journalism and the defense of democracy.
”We must defend the truth not just against visible enemies, but against the invisible forces of distortion and distraction,” Ekochu concluded.
