Chimpreports.com-Uganda News: Gov’t Warns TV Stations Over Sign Language Experts

Gov’t Warns TV Stations Over Sign Language Experts
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Gold Ronald on 11/05/2012 11:10:00

The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has Friday warned television stations
of possible serious consequences for defying instructions to carry signers.

“The Commission hereby directs all television stations in Uganda to carry
signers or sign language interpreters in at least one of their news broadcasts
each day. This is in accordance with the above legislation, including the
provisions of Section 8 of the Electronic Media Act,” said UCC Executive
Director Godfrey Mutabazi.
“Non compliance to the directive will attract revocation of the
broadcaster’s licence, among other severe penalties in accordance with the
law,” further warned Mutabazi.
“Please, be reminded that public airwaves remain a property of the public,”
he threatened
In August 2011, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) Commission set June
30, 2012 as the deadline for all television stations in Uganda to carry signers
or sign language interpreters in at least one of their news broadcasts each day.
This is in accordance with: Article 35 of the Constitution of the Republic of
Uganda which provides that persons with disabilities have a right to respect and
human dignity, and the State and Society shall take appropriate measures to
ensure that they realise their full mental and physical potential and that
Parliament shall enact laws appropriate for the protection of persons with
disabilities.
Persons with Disability Act 2006: Section 21 of the Persons with Disability Act
2006 requires owners of Television Stations to provide sign language or a signer
at least once in one of the major newscasts each day.
The Electronic Media Act (Cap.104) Paragraph 5 of the First Schedule to the
Electronic Media Act provides that any broadcast programme must be in compliance
with the existing laws.
“The Commission has noted with concern that apart from Uganda Broadcasting
Corporation (UBC) no other TV station in Uganda has complied with the said legal
requirement,” said Mutabazi.