The Role Of The Media In Promoting And Protecting Human Rights In Uganda: A Case Study Of Nation Television (Ntv)

ABSTRACT 

The research on “the role of the media in protecting and promoting human rights in Uganda” was conducted in Nation Television (NTV). The research was guided by the objectives of the study which included; finding out how the electronic media has promoted human rights in Uganda; establishing the challenges faced by the media in promoting human rights in Uganda, and finding out the ways how the media can better promote human rights in Uganda. The findings of the research are thus as flows; On the how the electronic media has promoted human rights in Uganda; the findings revealed that; talk-shows, reporting on human rights, sensitizing the media on human rights issues, and networking with NGOs were the answers given by the respondents. On establishing the challenges faced by the media in promoting human rights in Uganda, the study revealed that; interferences by the owners of media houses, lack of funds, self-censorship, lack of adequate information, and threats from the government were the responses availed to the researcher by the respondents. On finding out the ways how the media can better promote human rights in Uganda, the study revealed that; respecting editorial independence, increase funding to the media, avoid self-censorship, providing the media with information, and avoiding government threats were responses given by the respondents. The researcher later came up with the conclusions and recommendations. The researcher concluded that the electronic media has not done much to protect and promote human rights in Uganda. The researcher then made recommendations to the media houses, NGOs and government so that human rights can be effectively and adequately covered in Uganda.