The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has cautioned all electronic media houses on the laws to follow when covering live major national events.
All broadcast stations are required to have facilities to provide live coverage of major national events and those without are to receive signal from the national broadcaster.
“Accordingly, each broadcast station should put in place facilities to enable them cover live the following events and/or receive a live signal feed from the National Broadcaster,” read the statement.
Failure to do so, electronic media houses will risk facing a penalty.
Below is full statement.
“The Uganda Communication Commission (UCC) wishes to remind all proprietors and managers of all radio and television stations in Uganda of the Licensing Conditions issued by the Commission, whereby all broadcast stations are expected to provide live coverage of major national events and addresses by H.E. the President issued to the Nation in his or her capacity as Head of State or at national celebrations,” read the statement.
The events include pronouncement of national emergency or disaster; security threats or any event of national character that necessitates the entire public to have simultaneous access to the information.
Accordingly, each broadcast station should put in place facilities to enable them cover live the following events and/or receive a live signal feed from the National Broadcaster, (Uganda Broadcasting Corporation), in case they have no capacity to undertake live coverage:
National Event
1. New year’s Day January 1 every year
2. NRM Liberation Day January 26 every year
3. International Women’s Day March 8 every year
4. Good Friday Date varies every year
5. Easter Sunday Date varies every year
6. Labour Day May 1 every year
7. Martyr’s Day June 3 every year
8. State of the National Address Date varies every year
9. Budget day Date varies every year
10. National Hero’s’ Day June 9 every year
11. Eid al-Fitr (end of Ramadan) Date varies every year
12. Independence day October 9 every year
13. Eid al –Adhuha (feast of the Sacrifice) Date varies every year
14. Christmas Day December 25 every year
Accordingly, the Commission hereby directs all electronic media houses to adhere to the above-mentioned directive and licensing conditions.
The Commission will be monitoring this coverage and the non-compliant stations will be penalized in accordance with the law.
