The Mbarara Resident District Commissioner RtdLt Col James Mwesigye has expressed concerns over the meager salaries that are given to journalists by their employers.
Lt Col Mwesigye made remarks on Tuesday while opening a half day FM Radio broadcasters Regional workshop held at Oxford Inn Mbarara Municipality which was organized by Uganda communications commission (UCC).
He appealed to tUCC to compel media houses to enhance their employees’ salaries in order to avoid being hoodwinked by selfish politicians.
He attributed bias and sensational stories and talk shows to poor remuneration and allowances given to journalists saying that a poor person cannot have an independent cognitive mind.
Lt Col Mwesigye also advised journalists to have complementary income to support their meager salaries in order to develop their families.
He commended the role being played by media in Uganda asking them to keep the spirit for the betterment of the country.
The workshop was attended by Radio managers, station technical manager and programs directors to raise awareness of the legal, technical, financial and listener-ship related requirements that are relevant to the operations of FM radio stations in Uganda.
He urged media practitioners to be patriotic, ethical in serving the public instead of promoting the culture of political violence or ethical prejudice at the expense of national Unity.
Juliane Mweheire the director Industry Affairs and Content Development at UCC who represented Executive Director Eng. Godfery Mutabazi said that government is to consider reviewing the taxation law on the radio equipment’s because they are too expensive.
Ms Mweheire asked journalist to always consider minimum broadcasting standards while executing their duty if they are to avoid media crackdown and being tortured.
