HINDRANCES FACING THE PRIVATELY OWNED (INDEPENDENT) MEDIA IN UGANDA. A CASE STUDY OF MONITOR PUBLICATIONS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION

APPROVAL ii

DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGMENT iv

TABLE OF CONTENTS V

LIST OF TABLES viii

ABSTRACT ix

CHAPTER ONE 1

INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 Background to the problem

1.2 Statement of the problem 3

1.3. Purpose of the study 5

1.3.1 Study objectives 5

1.3.2 Research questions 5

1.4 Scope of the study 5

1.5 Significance of the study 5

1.6 Area of study 6

1.7. Selection of study participants 6

CHAPTER TWO 7

LITERATURE REVIEW 7

2.0 Introduction 7

2.1 History of the Ugandan media 8

2.2 History of the independent media in Uganda 9

2.3 Challenges of the independent media in Africa: Uganda 9

2.4 Conceptual framework 10

2.5. Conclusion 10

CHAPTER THREE .11

METHODOLOGY 11

3.0 Introduction 11

3.1 Research design 11

3.2 Population sample 11

3.3 Area of study 12

3.4 Selection of study participants, sampling method and population 12

3.5 Data collection 12

3.6 Data Analysis 12

3.7 Limitations 12

CHAPTER FOUR 14

PRESENTATION, INTERPRETATION AND DISCUSSION OF THE FINDINGS 14

4.0 Introduction 14

4.1 Characteristics of the samples 14

4.2 Social and Demographic characteristic of the respondents 14

4.3 Challenges facing the independent media in Uganda- A case study of the Daily Monitor 16

4.4. Political challenges 16

4.4.1 The use of laws, intimidation and harassment of the media by the state 16

4.5 Constitutional / legal challenges 17

4.6. Economic challenges 18

4.7 Magnitude of the challenges presented above in form of percentages 19

CHAPTER FIVE 21

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 21

5.0 Introduction 21

5.1 Summary of the findings 21

5.2 Recommendations 24

5.3 Conclusion 25

REFERENCES .26

APPENDICES 27

APPENDIX A: QUESTIONNAIRE FOR COLLECTION OF DATA 27

APPENDIX B: PROPOSED BUDGET 29

APPENDIX C: RESEARCH SCHEDULE 30

ABSTRACT 

Recent years have seen the development of more cost-effective news paper publication, improved availability of and access to digital technology and, most important, the liberalization of the technology that initiated news paper in many sub-Saharan African countries, Uganda inclusive. The result of these changes have been the proliferation of non-governmental commercial and Monitor Publications, as well as technological improvements in programming, not only in urban areas but also in Community areas of sub-Saharan Africa. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role played by Monitor publications in looking at the hindrances facing the privately owned (independent) media in Uganda. The methods used for data collection were questionnaires to the employees of news paper publications, interviews with management of the corporate news paper publishers (Monitor publishers). The findings revealed by 62.5% of respondents agreed that whether monitor publications help in disseminating information advocating for peace according to its social responsibility theory, another 87.5% of respondents agreed that media influences peace in their communities, this is through giving or high lighting the genera public particularly in increasing focus on family related matters, promote social networking and 50% of respondents agreed that Monitor publications particularly helps peoples without access to justice. The study recommended that: Government should put in place a mechanism where corporate news publications can cross- subsidize media so that operational costs are not heavy on news paper readers. In line with this, news paper publication initiatives should be exempted, or at least should benefit, from tax holidays to give them time to establish themselves.