Media Regulations, Public Morality and Ethical Practices in Selected Television Stations in Kampala, Uganda
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Date
2023-11-17
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Kampala International University
Abstract
This study was conducted to establish the effects of media regulation manifested through media ownership and adherence to journalistic ethics as stipulated by the Uganda Communication Act and the Press and Journalist Act, with the following specific objectives, to establish the effects of media regulation on adherence to minimum broadcasting standards on producing content that goes against public morality, to analysis whether media regulation affects adherence to minimum broadcasting standards on producing content that is free from distortion of facts, and to assess the effects of media regulation on adherence to minimum broadcasting standards on producing content that promotes a culture of violence or ethnical prejudice. The study was premised on the media ownership theory and the social responsibility theory. The study adopted an explanatory research design, where both interview guides and video recordings were used as the major data collection methods. In relation to the effect of media regulation on immorality in programmes aired on the three stations, the study found through content analysis that all three stations aired programme contents that featured immorality. The findings showed that despite the existence of media regulations enforced by UCC. It was noted that the videos of programmes on the three stations casually discussed sex and sexual acts in a manner that was extremely explicit. However, it was concluded that media regulation does not enhance the adherence to the regulatory standards on immorality. This was concluded from the findings of the study that showed through content analysis, that all the videos of the programmes from the three stations that were analyzed showed a high level of immorality despite the existence of media regulations enforced by UCC. The Key Informants also revealed through the interviews that there was a high degree of immorality in television programmes in Uganda despite the existence of the regulations that UCC enforces with all broadcasters. The study recommends that there is need to enhance the regulatory framework by revising and clarifying rules related to content standards, emphasizing the prohibition of content that goes against public morality. Regulations should be specific and easy to interpret. Moreover, there is need to encourage public participation in the formulation and review of media regulations. Public opinion should be considered when setting broadcasting standards to reflect the moral values and expectations of the community. The study recommends more sensitization to be undertaken by the media regulators and increased enforcement of media ethics by the regulator
Description
A Thesis Submitted To the Directorate of Higher Degrees and Research in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Award of a Master of Science in Mass Communication of Kampala International University
Keywords
Media Regulations, Public Morality, Ethical Practices, Television Stations, Kampala