UGANDA: Bishop Franzelli Appeals to Government to Guarantee Safety of Communicators
Rt. Rev Giuseppe Franzelli
Fr Isaac Ojok
Chairperson of Communications Commission for Uganda Episcopal Conference Rt. Rev Giuseppe Franzelli has appealed to government to safeguard the rights, freedom of expression and the safety of journalists in the country.
Speaking at the climax of Communications Week held at Sacred Heart Cathedral Rubaga, Bishop Franzelli emeritus disclosed the need for the safety of journalists, freedom of expression to be guaranteed to enable them succeed in their work.
The bishop said it is timely for civil and political authorities of Uganda to support media industry in the country and that it is their cardinal role to make laws that do not suppress the freedom of expression among others.
He further decried exorbitant taxes being levied on the media houses by the Uganda Communications Commission, a government agency with mandate to regulate media industry in Uganda saying this is hindering communicators from registering success.
According to Rt. Rev. Franzelli, celebrating world communications Sunday is part of the long history beginning from the time of Jesus Christ who commissioned His disciples to go out to the whole world to proclaim and communicate Good news to all nations.
In his message to communicators, the UEC bishop chairman implored the Catholic communicators to remain exemplary in a move to inspire society.
He reiterated the need for journalists to avoid having evil words coming from their mouths but instead the words should be edifying and purifying the hearts of people in order to animate the society properly.
The bishop told communicators to know that, the best way to succeed and excel in communications is through love stressing that they should do their work with uniqueness to create a difference.
He asked, “How different and unique can our communication be in making sure that we use the right words”, urging them that they should not be like those who condemn and attack people because of the work they do in their daily lives.
He went on sharing that the messages that are always given out to people should highly be enjoyable, instructive and something that he said should be moving and touching the hearts of the audience.
The bishop encouraged communicators to stick to the truth, and move on with perseverance, boldness despite challenges being faced currently in the media industry.
According to bishop, the journalists should communicate the messages which propagate peace, harmony saying they are to work with a difference without any propaganda to manipulate the truth.
He added that the profession of journalists is that of mission, the mission of peace citing examples of Radio Pacis in Arua diocese with their slogan, “Peace of Christ for All”, and Radio Wa Fm in Lira diocese with the slogan “Blessed are the Peace Makers” among others.
From the 9th to 15th May 2023, diocesan communicators in Uganda gathered in Entebbe in their annual event to evaluate their work through sharing of successes, challenges and the future plans laid in the field of communications.
The gathering was preceded by sharing different reports, training particularly on Establishing Sustainable and viable media in the digital age.
Among the topics discussed are; strategies to effectively reach the target audience, harnessing the potentials of digital media, what catholic media can do to prosper, using the radio and tv with other media, social media and radio viability, best practices in social media marketing among others.
The training was funded by the Congregation for the propagation of faith through SIGNIS.
This year’s 57th world communications week was hosted by Kampala Ecclesiastical Province in Kampala Arch diocese and was guided by the theme; “Speaking with the heart: The truth in love” as found in the letter of St Paul to (Ephesians 4:15).
In 2024, the Communications week will be hosted by Gulu Ecclesiastical Province particularly in Arua Diocese.
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