Where the Red Line Is Drawn Was Perceived by Many to Be Self-Evident and Universal, but Interestingly Enough Perceived Differently in Kampala and Gulu
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Political Science, Advanced Course C Department of Government Bachelor Thesis Autumn 2016 Where the R ed Line is Drawn A study on Self- censorship in Ugandan Media Author: Joanna Hellström Supervisor: Johanna Söderström Pages: 49 Words: 13 945 Abstract Coercion and repressive legislation are widely recognised measures employed by hybrid regimes as a way of stifling the media. This thesis illustrates the long shadow cast by these measures by examining the impact of transgressions on self-censorship among Ugandan journalists, and how these are weighed against their notion of professionalism. Self- censorship is experienced as an unwanted, but vital practice that moves in tandem with the level of political tension, being an extraordinary rather than general measure. The study was conducted in the summer of 2016, founded by a Minor Field Study scholarship from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). List of Abbreviations AMB African Media Barometer CBS Central Broadcasting Service HRNJ-U Human Rights Network for Journalists- Uganda HRW Human Rights Watch ICT Information and Communications Technology RDC Resident District Commissioner RSF Reporters Without Borders UCC Uganda Communications Commission 2 Acknowledgements I would like to start by expressing my deepest appreciation to my supervisor Johanna Söderström for her guidance and unyielding belief in my capability. Furthermore, I am heavily indebted to the Uganda Radio Network, who warmly welcomed me and went out of their way to contribute to my work with their knowledge; Sam Gummah, Sylvia Nsubuga Nankya, Douglas Mutumba, Alex Otto, Olive Eyotaru, Leonard Namukasa and Isaac Mugera. I give my warmest regards to Moses Odokonyero at Northern Uganda Media Club, Grace Nataabalo at the African Centre for Media Excellence, Kenneth Ntende and Robert Ssempala at Human Rights Network for Journalists, for providing me with an invaluable contextual background. Last but not least, I would like to thank all my respondents. Without you, this thesis would not have been possible. 3 Preface Recognising my background as a western academic and occasional journalist, I am not proposing western ethics of journalism or Western media as an ideal type in contrast to Ugandan or African media. The point of reference in regard to professional ideals is, therefore, provided by Ugandan scholars and media practitioners. Neither do I argue that Western models of media marketisation are preferable, nor do I argue that these values should be universally adopted. Self-censorship in this study intends to be interpreted as a response to the structural conditions that affect the work of each journalist. Furthermore, the practice itself is not to be condemned. It can on the contrary serve as a tool to be able to present the public with certain information without subjecting oneself or others to risk. 4 Table of Contents 1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................... 6 PURPOSE AND RESEARCH QUESTION ............................................................................................................................. 8 DISPOSITION ........................................................................................................................................................................ 9 2 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK ................................................................................................................ 10 MEDIA IN HYBRID REGIMES ............................................................................................................................................ 10 SELF-CENSORSHIP ............................................................................................................................................................ 11 3 UGANDAN MEDIA: A BRIEF BACKGROUND ...................................................................................... 14 PREVIOUS RESEARCH ON UGANDAN MEDIA ................................................................................................................ 14 MEDIA FREEDOM IN UGANDA ........................................................................................................................................ 15 4 OPERATIONALISATION .......................................................................................................................... 17 ActivE sElf-censorship ............................................................................................................................................... 17 PassivE sElf-censorship ............................................................................................................................................ 17 5 DESIGN AND SELECTION PROCESS ...................................................................................................... 18 SELECTION PROCESS ........................................................................................................................................................ 18 KAMPALA AND GULU ....................................................................................................................................................... 18 SELECTION OF RADIO STATIONS .................................................................................................................................... 19 6 METHODOLOGY ......................................................................................................................................... 21 INFORMANTS ..................................................................................................................................................................... 21 SEMI-STRUCTURED INTERVIEWS ................................................................................................................................... 21 OBSERVATIONS ................................................................................................................................................................. 22 ANALYTICAL FRAMEWORK ............................................................................................................................................. 23 ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS ............................................................................................................................................. 23 Anonymity ...................................................................................................................................................................... 23 7 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY ............................................................................................................... 25 METHODOLOGICAL SHORTCOMINGS ............................................................................................................................. 25 8 RESULTS ....................................................................................................................................................... 26 THE NOTION OF THE RED LINE ....................................................................................................................................... 26 PASSIVE SELF-CENSORSHIP ............................................................................................................................................ 27 LGBT issues ..................................................................................................................................................................... 28 Security Issues and Terrorism ................................................................................................................................ 29 ACTIVE SELF-CENSORSHIP .............................................................................................................................................. 29 Can We Balance This? ................................................................................................................................................ 31 Weighing the situation .............................................................................................................................................. 31 9 CONCLUDING DISCUSSION ..................................................................................................................... 41 BIBLIOGRAPHY ............................................................................................................................................. 44 BOOKS ................................................................................................................................................................................. 44 ARTICLES ........................................................................................................................................................................... 45 OTHER ................................................................................................................................................................................ 47 APPENDIX 1- INTERVIEW QUESTIONS .................................................................................................. 50 APPENDIX 2- RESPONDENTS .................................................................................................................... 52 5 1 Introduction Along with the countries of the former Soviet Union, many African countries experienced the proliferation of independent media and new media outlets