Ugandan press slams media law
The Ugandan press has condemned a proposed law that would allow the government's Media Council to shut down media houses and jail journalists for publishing content considered to endanger "national security, stability and unity".
The country's major newspapers published on Monday, 15 March 2010, a joint editorial saying the bill "seeks to destroy critical and independent journalism". Critics have also described the law as a direct attack on press freedom aimed at silencing critical voices ahead of next year's elections.
The Eastern Africa Journalists Association said the bill would also ban the publication of content deemed to sabotage Uganda's economy and diplomatic relations. The proposed legislation is currently before Uganda's cabinet.