Makerere hosts annual media convention

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The Department of Journalism and Communication at Makerere University is hosting the Annual Media Convention (AMC) today (September 3, 2024).

The public university has held the event of the same kind since 1998 to provide a forum for discussing emerging issues in media, journalism and communication.

Uganda Communications Commission's ED Nyombi Thembo appears to be enjoying himself at the Annual Media Convention (AMC) at Makerere University.

Under the theme: Harnessing Artificial Intelligence and Social Networks to Combat Misinformation in Uganda, the convention will provide an opportunity for participants to share experiences for improving and advancing journalism and communication in Uganda with a critical focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT), according to organisers.

Practitioners, scholars, policymakers, regulators, researchers and students in media, journalism and communication are expected to attend.

The event is expected to attract key media personalities from companies including Vision Group, Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) and other platforms who will inspire young journalism students at Makerere University.

Background

According to the organisers, technology is rapidly transforming how journalism and communications professionals hold leadership at various levels — national, organisational, and community — accountable to their constituents.

Uganda Communications Commission ED Nyombi Thembo delivering a keynote address during the Annual Media Convention (AMC) at Makerere University.

Professor Goretti Nassanga from Department of Journalism and Communication at Makerere University

Investigative journalists have to report exhaustively on corruption, human rights and rule of law, peace, security and conflict.

Prof. Bruce Mutsvairo, Professor and chair of media, politics and the Global South, Faculty of Humanities at Utrecht University in the Netherlands

Similarly, public relations and strategic communications professionals are responsible for raising the public’s understanding of the operations of the organisations they represent by encouraging transparency and access to information as key components of accountability.

Godfrey Kabbyanga, state minister of ICT speaking at the Annual Media Convention (AMC)

According to organisers, investigative journalism practice in Uganda, however, is both a difficult and dangerous task despite the laws that provide for ease of access to information.

They say in a society characterised by a culture of secrecy, public officials and public relations practitioners typically withhold information from journalists even when it is in the public domain.