Do not discriminate against candidates- Media houses warned

All presidential candidates will be accorded the same amount of airtime on different media platforms.

While speaking to the press in Kampala on Friday, the Commissioner Ministry of ICT Moses Watasa said that they are working with the electoral commission to release guidelines, giving all candidates the same amount of airtime on TV and Radio stations.

“We don’t want a particular candidate’s message to air at 3am, while others air at 8am. For radios, let all candidates be given airtime during prime time equally” Watasa said.

He says the guidelines will be released in the next two weeks to ensure that media houses do not take advantage of some candidates. “We have never had an election without rallies and processions. So, as a ministry of information, we want to ensure that all candidates get the same amount of airtime, without anyone being left out.”

Meanwhile, the minister for ICT Hon Judith Nabakooba applauded the media for what she termed as ‘unwavering support’ in the effort to sensitize the public about COVID-19 Pandemic.

She also noted that the media is in better position to shape the political direction of the country, since for the first time, candidates will not have personal contact with voters, but must use media platforms to campaign.