[kictanet] Day 2 of 10:-KCA 2008-Broadcasting-The Bad

[John Walubengo]

Thanx for the earlier contributions of Faima and Vincent, and more so the recent input from the Hilton Public forum as reported by Barrack. I will now go ahead and post the proposed amendments with regard to the issues/problems raised yesterday.

1. that the retained 'draconian' clause 88 gives unrestricted powers to the two ministers (Internal Security and Information Ministers) and their regulatory (CCK) appointees. These Powers enable them to declare an emergency and raid media houses. The beef is that these powers are likely to be abused particularly because of the heavy Govt composition of the Regulatory Authorities who would likely serve their appointing authority (Executive) rather than the common good (Public)

Recommendation 1: Delete it or ensure that the Regulatory Authority (CCK) is farily balanced in term of Board representation (i.e Govt, Media, Civil Society, Academia, etc). All proposed Board Members must be vetted by Parliament.

2. that the Content Regulation (Programming Code) aspects is also flawed in that it is ONLY the Information Minister and his appointees who  can decide what is prohibited and what is not, what should go on air and at what time.

Recommendation 2: This bit should be taken to the Media Council, whose Act (Media Council Act) should be strengthened to give the Media Council some teeth (enforcement) capabilities.

3. that a Signal Distribution Monopoly would be enforced given that current broadcasters would need to channel their transmission through a licensed signal distributor i.e. dismantle their current distribution infrastructure in the likely event that they are not the designated signal distributor.

Recommendation: ???-Havent picked up this bit of recommendation, someone could fill in?.

Feel free to make belated contributions on the previous themes as well. Tomorrow we enter into the IT section and we shall stick to the same format i.e. dissect the Good, the Bad and (the Ugly?) Recommendations. 

walu.