Top Ministers, Dr. Mwebesa to grace 3rd Annual Media Conference 2020

The State minister in charge Northern Uganda, Grace Kwiyucwiny, and ICT State Minister, Peter Ogwang, are expected in the northern district of Lira Friday as journalists, media houses and stakeholders convene for the 3rd annual media conference 2020, an initiative of GLCSMS.org and its subsidiary digital
newspaper, TND News.

Convened under the theme: “Role of Media during Elections and Pandemic”, the conference will take place at Garden Inn Hotel, Lira City. Hon. Kwiyucwiny, is expected as Chief Guest, with a keynote address from Hon. Ogwang while
Dr Henry Mwebesa, the Director General of Health Services in the Ministry of Health will make an address on the topic: Staying safe during pandemic and post
–Covid-19. He will be accompanied by the Ministry of Health’s PRO, Mr Emmanuel Ainebyoona, the conference’s chief convener, Milton Akwam, said Tuesday.
Also expected is Lango Parliamentary Group Vice Chairperson, Hon. Paul Amoru Omiat, and his colleague MPs.

THE CONFERENCE

The conference is a continuation of the past two conferences and according to Akwam, the organisers have been demanded to continue with the initiative in a bid for the public to understand the importance of media, and for the media not only to educate, inform and entertain, but to help government at all levels by informing the population it serves.

Since 2016, he said, the conference has created a fair relationship between media (journalists), local government, leaders and the public in Lango sub-region and across northern Uganda. “Media in Lango sub-region, like any other sub-regions of the country, remains committed to serving humanity in a more ethical manner, besides occasional interruptions by state agencies. The conference helps media, and stakeholders to attain more experience from experts, make contacts (networking) and to share their concerns with authorities and leaders in both government, private and CSOs world,” he said.

Akwam said, media remains a key focus ahead of the 2021 general polls.

Also, amidst electoral processes, Uganda is battling with Covid-19 pandemic and
many are at risk of dying and getting infected. “To stop further spread and death, media plays, and is still playing a big role in sensitizing, educating and informing the public of the government’s best health measures to curb the virus. In summary, the conference will discuss media roles during elections and Covid-19 pandemic,” Akwam noted.

Because of government restrictions due to virus surge, he added, “not more than 100 people will be invited at the venue, while others will follow the conversation live on different radio stations, our social media platforms, and via Zoom.”

Topics

1. Relevance of media in Uganda
2. Staying safe during election and pandemic
3. Has society appreciated media during elections and pandemic?
4. Fake news: misinformation, disinformation and mal-information
5. Media clampdown

HISTORY

Started in September 2016 as an informal media conference, the conference has brought together close to 300 participants who have discussed and given a way forward to over 15 conference subjects. The conference has given both media/journalists, and different stakeholders a platform to meet, discuss and resolve on key issues affecting both media and the society.
In 2019 conference, Access to Information was one of the key topics discussed, and participants agreed that it is “important to give media information” and also, media should report accurately, with integrity and “sympathy in some areas”. Unlike previous conferences (2016 and 2019), the 2020 event will convene under strict circumstances due to Covid-19.