3 May 2008
UNITED NATIONS AGENCIES RECOGNIZE EMPOWERING ROLE OF MEDIA IN DEVELOPMENT
As we mark World Press Freedom Day today, the United Nations system invites the Government
and people of Uganda to join in recognizing the role played by media freedom and access to
information in the wider development objective of empowering peoples.
Locally, nationally and globally, the media not only report on development, they are agents of
change. As such, they are called upon to adhere to the highest ethical and professional standards
in their coverage. As the mirror in which Ugandan society sees itself, the media has an
instrumental role in helping to define community objectives and recognize when a correction to the
current course may be necessary.
This power – and the rights to freedom of opinion and expression – must, of course, be exercised
responsibly. Media have a powerful influence on human behaviour. As such, they must be careful
not to serve as vehicles for incitement or degradation.
Respect for the rights to freedom of opinion and expression and to receive information via the
media is enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, whose sixtieth
anniversary we mark this year. These universal rights must be protected by all governments,
everywhere.
We congratulate the Government of Uganda for the general independence with which national
media are allowed to operate. Private media outlets across Uganda have flourished since the
1990s and daily provide a plurality of political and social views. The United Nations in Uganda also
expresses concern over some recent events that may be perceived as impinging on the national
media’s right to freedom of opinion and expression.
The United Nations in Uganda encourages both the media and the Government of Uganda to
continue to work together to develop the media literacy skills of all Ugandans. These skills allow
individuals to critically analyse and synthesize information received for use in their daily lives and
to hold the media, and through it the Government, accountable.
As we have seen, across northern Uganda, those displaced by the more than 20 year conflict rely
on local, national and international media outlets – radio, television and print, as well as new
media increasingly available via the Internet – for information related to the situation in return
areas. The coverage of safety and security, Government policy and other factors influences their
decision to return to their homes. Indeed, access to information is important to inform freedom of
movement and choice to ensure voluntary, durable solutions for all Uganda’s internally displaced
persons (IDPs).