• Latest
The Observer Responds to Media Council Summons over MPs’ Bribery Story

The Observer Responds to Media Council Summons over MPs’ Bribery Story

1 year ago
Museveni Touts Calm Security, Regional Cooperation in State of Nation Address

Museveni Touts Calm Security, Regional Cooperation in State of Nation Address

13 hours ago
Uganda, Kenya Forge Stronger Cross-Border Ties

Uganda, Kenya Forge Stronger Cross-Border Ties

13 hours ago
Venezuelan Envoy Seeks Stronger BRICS Ties with Uganda

Venezuelan Envoy Seeks Stronger BRICS Ties with Uganda

13 hours ago
Apostolic Nuncio Bids Farewell as Diplomatic Tour in Uganda Ends

Apostolic Nuncio Bids Farewell as Diplomatic Tour in Uganda Ends

13 hours ago
SONA Speech: Museveni Outlines Vision to Grow Economy to $500bn by 2040

SONA Speech: Museveni Outlines Vision to Grow Economy to $500bn by 2040

14 hours ago
Uganda Reaffirms Support for AfrECC in Oesophageal Cancer Fight

Uganda Reaffirms Support for AfrECC in Oesophageal Cancer Fight

14 hours ago
SoftPower News
Saturday, June 7, 2025
  • News
  • Tourism & Travel
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
    • Fashion
  • Regional
    • Kenya
    • Rwanda
    • Tanzania
    • Burundi
    • South Sudan
    • DR Congo
  • Defence & Security
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • More
    • Agriculture
    • Africa
    • Columnists
    • Education
    • Health
      • COVID-19
    • International News
    • News in Pictures
    • OpEd
    • Pearl Of Africa
    • People
    • Politics
    • Special Reports
    • Women
No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Tourism & Travel
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
    • Fashion
  • Regional
    • Kenya
    • Rwanda
    • Tanzania
    • Burundi
    • South Sudan
    • DR Congo
  • Defence & Security
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • More
    • Agriculture
    • Africa
    • Columnists
    • Education
    • Health
      • COVID-19
    • International News
    • News in Pictures
    • OpEd
    • Pearl Of Africa
    • People
    • Politics
    • Special Reports
    • Women
No Result
View All Result
SoftPower News
No Result
View All Result
Home News

The Observer Responds to Media Council Summons over MPs’ Bribery Story

by Muhamadi Byemboijana
May 15, 2024
The Observer Responds to Media Council Summons over MPs’ Bribery Story
52
VIEWS

The Uganda Media Council, a statutory body responsible for resolving conflicts between the media and the public, has issued summons to The Observer Media Limited.

This action requires the publication to defend an article from April 24, which the Council claims has undermined public trust in parliament. In a letter dated May 8, 2024, and signed by Paulo Ekochu, the chairman of the Council, it is alleged that the article jeopardized the perceived integrity of parliament, described as the cornerstone of Uganda’s democracy.

Related Stories

Museveni Touts Calm Security, Regional Cooperation in State of Nation Address

Uganda, Kenya Forge Stronger Cross-Border Ties

Venezuelan Envoy Seeks Stronger BRICS Ties with Uganda

“Upholding its sanctity ensures the integrity of the democratic process. Therefore, it is critical that public trust in Parliament and the government is maintained. Indeed, a revered Parliament bolsters the public’s trust in the government and the legislative process. Respect for this institution enhances public confidence in the government’s ability to govern effectively.

Consequently, any assertion that could undermine this trust must be rigorously scrutinized for its accuracy,” part of Ekochu’s letter states. 

The letter further criticizes the article for failing to uphold the standard of protecting parliament’s image, particularly its claim that MPs had been bribed to retain certain government agencies amidst ongoing rationalization.

“To a reasonable person, the subject article appears to undermine the sanctity of Parliament, necessitating a thorough investigation to ensure that journalistic principles of accuracy and balance are fully applied,” the letter states.

Additionally, the letter puts The Observer Media “on notice” for failing to register the particulars of its editor, which is cited as a criminal offense under the 1995 Press and Journalist Act.

In response to the summons, Pius Muteekani Katunzi, the managing editor of The Observer Media, acknowledged receipt of the letter and stated they are preparing a response. However, Katunzi expressed preliminary concerns about the letter and its author.

Paul Ekochu, Media Council Chairman.

“The letter lacks clarity regarding the complainant; it’s uncertain whether it’s parliament, Mr. Ekochu, or the Media Council itself. If Mr. Ekochu is the complainant and seeks to act as a neutral arbiter, he clearly cannot be both an interested party and a judge in his own cause,” stated Katunzi.

“It’s noteworthy that Mr. Ekochu attributes the perceived lapses in the integrity and sanctity of Parliament to a story in The Observer. Ultimately, it is for the public to judge, based on the conduct of parliament, whether it passes the integrity test.”

Katunzi further expressed surprise over receiving a letter from Ekochu, especially since on the day the article was published, the speaker of parliament, Annet Anita Among, had declared she instructed the parliamentary legal team to initiate a lawsuit against The Observer, yet no such legal notice has been received to date.

“It seems Mr. Ekochu is voicing complaints on behalf of the speaker. His letter concludes with a threat of criminal charges for failing to register the editor. It’s intriguing how a regulatory body only remembered this oversight after this particular story was published. What relevance does this have to the story?” Katunzi questioned.

According to the letter, The Observer is required to appear before the Disciplinary Committee of the Council on May 20 at 10:00 am.

By Muhammad Kakembo for The Observer.

Tags: Media Council of UgandaSoft PowerSoft Power NewsSoftPowerSoftPower NewsThe Observer UgandaTop NewsTop News UgandaTop Uganda NewsUganda

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


The reCAPTCHA verification period has expired. Please reload the page.

Recent Stories

Museveni Touts Calm Security, Regional Cooperation in State of Nation Address

Uganda, Kenya Forge Stronger Cross-Border Ties

Venezuelan Envoy Seeks Stronger BRICS Ties with Uganda

Apostolic Nuncio Bids Farewell as Diplomatic Tour in Uganda Ends

SONA Speech: Museveni Outlines Vision to Grow Economy to $500bn by 2040

Uganda Reaffirms Support for AfrECC in Oesophageal Cancer Fight

Visit UBOS Website
SoftPower News Logo

SoftPower News is a subsidiary of SoftPower Communications LLC, a Ugandan digital media group. Keep posted of the latest from Uganda and East Africa.
Plot 4B Malcolm X, Kololo
P.O Box 1497, Kampala - Uganda
Tel: +256-392-001-701
Email: info@softpower.ug

This news site is licenced by Uganda Communications Commission (UCC)

ADVERTISEMENT
  • News
  • Tourism & Travel
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
  • Regional
  • Defence & Security
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • More

© SoftPower News

error: Content is protected
No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Tourism & Travel
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
    • Fashion
  • Regional
    • Kenya
    • Rwanda
    • Tanzania
    • Burundi
    • South Sudan
    • DR Congo
  • Defence & Security
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • More
    • Agriculture
    • Africa
    • Columnists
    • Education
    • Health
      • COVID-19
    • International News
    • News in Pictures
    • OpEd
    • Pearl Of Africa
    • People
    • Politics
    • Special Reports
    • Women

© SoftPower News