NCHRD-U, Journalists Roll-Out Campaign to Counter Challenges
By; Idd Basaijja.
The National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders (NCHRD)-Uganda consorting with journalists have flagged-off a media campaign to respond to specific gaps affecting journalists in Uganda.
The campaign has been developed to tackle four thematic areas identified by journalists during a three-days needs assessment workshop organized by NCHRD-U held in Jinja City this week: sexual harassment, risky working environment, impacts of digital transformation and access to Information.
Pious Nsajja, the communications officer at NCHRD-Uganda says the campaign will enable journalists especially those in the NCHRD-U cluster to address the identified challenges through empowerment, advocating for policy reforms and raising public awareness hence promoting the human rights defender concept.
He noted that while journalists have been at the forefront of advocating for the rights of others, they have over the years gone through work-related challenges without finding solutions.
SB: Puis 1
Nsajja added that the coalition will help the journalists with publication of mass campaign materials, developing spot messages, designing talk show points among others.
He says this collaboration exemplify the growing trend of cross-field collaboration adding that the NCHRD-U is committed to standing in solidarity with HRDs and advancing the cause of human rights in Uganda.
Javer Silas, a journalist with New Vision from Sebei region says Journalists shouldn’t afford to be passive by-standers and victims of circumstances.
He noted that while journalists face many challenges, they must use all possible platforms available to address them.
SB//Silas
Rehema Kantono, a communications expert says its high time that journalists came in solidarity to embrace a campaign meant to address challenges affecting their day-today work.
She noted that there is increasing legal changes regarding human rights and this affects how journalists report human rights stories.
SB//Rehemah
Evelyne Abo, media viability consultant from Bukedi region says this campaign is coming at a time when human HRDs are grappling with several challenges, among them threats from authorities and being beaten by security agencies.
She noted that a free and independent media is a cornerstone for promotion of all other rights making it extremely important to have a free media.
Saimon Bikeke, the coordinator Umbrella for Journalist Kasese-UJK noted that Uganda’s civic space is consciously shrinking and this is always made worse during election periods where journalists become targets of suppression.
He says UJK as a grassroot media body in Rwenzori Sub Region is committed to working with NCHRD-U to ensure the campaign delivers results.
“First there so many issues that affect journalists, but I would say, the four identified stand out in the current times and we have strong commitment to keep our partnership with anyone supporting our free space” Bikeke said
Nsajja said the collation is open to receive any human rights reports via their 24/7 line; 0763565154.
The one year campaign is expected to start in August.
