The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Mbarara, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Mbarara Archdiocese priests have asked the government to act quickly and stop the battering of journalists while on duty.
Speaking at the commemoration of World Press freedom day for Mbarara Catholic Journalists, the Uganda Martyr’s Catholic cChurch parish priest Rev. Fr. Didas Kasapuli said that it is a human right to inform and to be informed.
He said that much as Journalism is a profession but it is also God’s calling like some other profession.
“let me remind you of this it is not a human right to be a doctor, a lawyer or a journalist but it is a human right to inform and to be informed, so our profession is very special and it is part and parcel of human rights,” he said.
He encouraged the government and those in authority not to harass journalists because they are doing the work of God and the work of human development.
Rev. Fr. Charles Mutabaruka, the Archdiocesan Media relations officer, asked journalists to take responsibility for the values that they have to stand for and make sure these values are never compromised during their practice despite the challenges.
Dr Celestine Barigye, Director of Mbarara regional referral Hospital, appealed to journalists to stick to reporting the truth despite its being bitter to those who don’t want the truth told.
Felix Ainebyoona, Chairperson Mbarara catholic Journalists, said of the challenges Journalists go through the most hurting is the brutality meted on them in line of duty and asked the government to bear this in mind .
Every 3rd May Journalists across the world commemorate world press freedom day and this year the day was marked under the Theme: Information as a Public Good.
This day was set aside to act as a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom and is also a day of reflection among media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics.
*******
URN
