Freedom of Expression on the Web Examining the Restrictions

Freedom of Expression on the Web Examining the Restrictions

View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by NORA - Norwegian Open Research Archives Freedom of expression on the web Examining the restrictions to publishing by news websites in Uganda Brenda Businge Kamulegeya Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment for the Master of Philosophy Degree in Media Studies Institute of Media and Communication University of Oslo Autumn 2012 ii TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract................................................................................................................................. viii Acknowledgements................................................................................................................. ix List of Abbreviations............................................................................................................... x CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.0 Aim and focus of the study.................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Statement of the problem..................................................................................................... 6 1.2 Research questions............................................................................................................... 7 1.3 Justification of the study...................................................................................................... 9 1.4 Background to the political and social environment in which the media in Uganda operate…………………………………………………..…………………………………… 10 1.4.1 System of governance: tracing governments from independence to- date........................................................................................................................................... 10 1.4.2 The electoral process ...................................................................................................... 12 1.4.3 Respect of political rights............................................................................................... 13 1.4.4 Civil rights....................................................................................................................... 15 1.4.5 Individual liberties.......................................................................................................... 15 1.4.6 The Arms of Government (accountability and separation of powers)..................................................................................................................................... 16 1.4.6.1 The Legislature............................................................................................................ 16 1.4.6.2 The Judiciary ............................................................................................................... 17 1.4.6.3 The Executive ............................................................................................................. 18 1.5 Synopsis of individual chapters…..................................................................................... 19 CHAPTER TWO THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK 2.0 Introduction........................................................................................................................ 20 2.1 The concept of free speech/ free expression ..................................................................... 20 iii 2.1.1 Individual liberty/ autonomy…....................................................................................... 20 2.1.2 Promotion of tolerance …............................................................................................... 21 2.1.3 Promotion of democracy/ self-government …................................................................ 22 2.1.3.1 Liberal democracy …................................................................................................... 23 2.1.3.2 Popular democracy ….................................................................................................. 24 2.1.3.3 Beyond the models: the value of democracy…........................................................... 25 2.1.4 Free speech and the media: what is the correlation? ….................................................. 25 2.2 Theories on the media …………………………............................................................... 26 2.2.1 Free press theories …...................................................................................................... 26 2.2.1.1 Early theorists: state controls suppress ideas …......................................................... 26 2.2.1.2 Providing information and extending free expression …............................................ 28 2.1.1.3 Watchdog function of the media….............................................................................. 28 2.2.2 Legal theory and freedom of the press …...................................................................... 28 2.2.2.1 Constitutional protection and boundaries of free expression and media freedom................................................................................................................................... .28 2.3 New media and free expression ……………………………............................................ 31 2.3.1 The Internet extends individual freedom of expression …............................................. 31 2.3.2 Increased access in terms of reduced set-up and running costs or access restrictions in developing countries? ............................................................................................................ 33 2.3.3 Regulation online: a review of the challenges in formulating and enforcing media law on the Internet…........................................................................................................................... 36 2.3.4 Media freedom on the Internet: What a study of news publication on the web in Uganda offers….................................................................................................................................... 38 2.4 Significance of the study for theory ….............................................................................. 39 CHAPTER THREE METHODS AND METHODOLOGY 3.0 Introduction........................................................................................................................ 40 3.1 A case for the qualitative approach to data collection....................................................... 40 3.2 Data collection methods …................................................................................................ 40 iv 3.2.1 Document analysis …..................................................................................................... 40 3.2.1.1 Primary sources …....................................................................................................... 41 3.2.1.2 Secondary sources …................................................................................................... 41 3.2.2 Analysis of news websites …....................................................................................... 42 3.2.2.1 The New Vision …....................................................................................................... 42 3.2.2.2 Daily Monitor …......................................................................................................... 43 3.2.2.3 The Red Pepper …....................................................................................................... 43 3.2.2.4 The Uganda Record …................................................................................................ 44 3.2.2.5 Radio Katwe …............................................................................................................ 44 3.2.3 Qualitative in-depth interviews ….................................................................................. 46 3.2.3.1 Interview sources ….................................................................................................... 46 3.2.3.2 The interview preparation process ….......................................................................... 48 3.3 Challenges encountered in collecting data ….................................................................... 50 3.4 Data analysis methods …................................................................................................... 51 3.4.1 Analysis based on the three main research questions …................................................ 51 3.4.2 Meaning interpretation …............................................................................................... 51 3.4.3 Theoretical analysis…..................................................................................................... 52 3.5 Validity, reliability and generalisability…......................................................................... 53 CHAPTER FOUR EXAMINING HOW LEGISLATION SETS UP RESTRICTIONS TO PUBLISHING BY NEWS WEBSITES IN UGANDA 4.0 Introduction........................................................................................................................ 55 4.1 An overview of media legislation in Uganda..................................................................... 55 4.1.1 The Constitution….......................................................................................................... 55 4.1.2 The Press and Journalists Act ….................................................................................... 56 4.1.3 The Electronic Media Act ….......................................................................................... 58

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