Internet restrictions in Uganda: examining their impact on journalism

ABSTRACT

This article examines Internet restrictions and how they influence journalism in Uganda. The article analyses cyber laws and interrogates journalists’ opinions of methods employed to suppress Internet freedom. Drawing on extant research on Internet suppression, the article found traces of digital authoritarianism in Uganda as government deploys an arsenal of restrictions that target media organisations, journalists and its critics. Using secondary and primary sources of data, the article found a plethora of cyber laws, which the government uses to intimidate, arrest, prosecute and instil fear among journalists and their sources, something that inhibits independent journalism. The article argues that Internet suppression deters the medium’s ability to serve as alternative platforms for citizen participation and for journalism.

KEYWORDS:

• #Internet regulation
• #social media tax
• #journalism in Uganda
• freedom of expression
• #Internet shutdown
• #democracy

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributor

Dr. Florence Namasinga Selnes is a journalism, media and communication researcher and educator with over 10 years’ experience in teaching, research and consultancy. Her research interests relate to the interplay between journalism and media and newer information and communication technologies. She has published on topics such as social media and gender, political communication, gender and journalism education, journalists’ safety and freedom, among others.