Media Muzzled By National Security Concerns And Other Embarrassment

Michael Hedges May 27, 2013 - Follow on Twitter

Governments have been resplendent in their commitments to press and media freedom. Dimming that light are national security issues, particularly embarrassing leaks. Balancing both can be difficult. And it can happen anywhere.

Police in the Ugandan capital stormed the offices of newspaper Daily Monitor last week disabling its printing facilities, website and two associated radio stations KFM and Dembe FM. Two other newspapers, Kamunye and tabloid Red Pepper, were also raided and shuttered. The authorities had search warrants to look for documents published by the media outlets allegedly incriminating for the government of President Yoweri Museveni.

Managers of the media houses were aware of the search warrants, issued May 15, to locate a letter allegedly written by an army intelligence officer, General David Sejusa, warning of an assassination plot and related documents. Several news outlets in Uganda reported General Sujusa’s letter and claims of a plan to promote President Museveni’s son as successor with the assurance those opposing would be “eliminated.”

Uganda’s communications regulator (UCC) said “some media houses… have not been professional and impartial,” in a statement (May 14), citing “national security” concerns. “This is more so since this is a matter that is being handled by other organs of government and those processes should not be interfered with as a result of the unbalanced and sensational broadcasts.”

The court order said nothing about shutting down the newspapers, websites or radio stations, reported the Xinhua news agency (May 24). “We are saddened and disappointed that despite us complying with the court’s request, the police have refused to vacate our premises and to allow us to carry on with our work,” said Red Pepper CEO Richard Tusiime, quoted by The Independent (Uganda) (May 24).

“They insist that they are carrying out more searches for documents which they neither told us nor the magistrate who gave them the search warrant,” he added. “We have been informed that the plan is to keep our offices closed for as long as they like, dismantle our new printing press, destroy our computers and servers by installing malicious malware and then hand over the junk when they are satisfied that we have been taken back to the stone age.”

A court order obtained Thursday (May 16) by Monitor Publications, owner of Daily Monitor and the two radio stations, for the removal of police officers from company premises has largely been ignored. “Discussion with authorities is going on,” said managing director Alex Asiimwe, quoted by the publication’s website monitor.co.ug (May 26), which seems to be operating. “We are pursuing all options, and soon all will be well.” Police cordoned off the industrial park where Monitor Publication’s facilities are located, as well as a major petroleum depot, preventing access by workers, media and other interested citizens. A local court has set May 30th for a hearing on Monitor Publication’s request that the original search warrant be vacated.

President Museveni relationship with Uganda’s media has continued to deteriorate through his tenure. As that draws to a close arrests of media workers and intimidation of publishers and broadcasters willing to criticize have only increased.

Media freedom monitor Freedom House condemned the “troubling movement by the Ugandan government to stifle opposition voices,” in a statement (May 21). In its 2013 Freedom of the Press Index Uganda ranked 118th, up from 123rd in 2012, due to “its repressive political environment.” Radio talk show host James Kasirivu was whisked away by police May 8th and remains held without charge or access to legal counsel.

“This national police offensive is the latest in a series of grave violations of freedom of information in Uganda since late 2012,” said Paris-based Reporters sans Frontiers (RSF) in a statement (May 20). “These actions are symptomatic of a terrible climate for news providers and reflect the government’s desire to stifle media independence.” The RSF 2013 World Press Freedom Index also indicated a slight improvement in Uganda’s ranking, 104th from 139th one year on. (See Africa Media Freedom indicators here)

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