Journalists urged to actively cover court sessions for accurate reporting

Kiryandongo, Uganda: Journalists and media practitioners in Kiryandongo district have been urged to actively cover court proceedings during official hours as part of their duty to promote justice and public awareness. The call was made by Chief Magistrate Mr. Hwabiti Samson Loum during an engagement meeting with the media fraternity on Wednesday morning.

The meeting, held at the Magistrate’s Chambers, was chaired by Mr. Wandira David, Legal Officer from the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), alongside his team. Journalists from VCC FM, Kibanda FM, Kiryandongo FM, and a representative from DailyExpress Uganda attended.

Mr. Wandira said the purpose of engaging the media is to strengthen partnerships between the judiciary and journalists to bridge gaps in justice advocacy at the local level. He explained that the Judicial Service Commission’s mission includes promoting excellence in judicial service through recruitment, reviewing terms of service, monitoring discipline of magistrates, stakeholder engagement, and public legal education.

He further urged journalists to always seek clarification from judicial authorities before publishing stories to ensure accuracy and credibility.

Chief Magistrate Hwabiti applauded the collaboration between the JSC and the media fraternity, encouraging journalists to regularly attend court sessions and produce news stories that help the public understand legal processes. He emphasized that court is open to all Ugandans and the media plays a crucial role in educating and advocating for vulnerable groups.

“In any court where a journalist is not satisfied with the proceedings, they are entitled to access case files for clarity,” Mr. Hwabiti noted, stressing that official communication should be channelled through the court’s Public Relations Officer rather than informal discussions with judicial officers.

Mrs. Hellen, Magistrate Grade One, also addressed the meeting, highlighting that transparency between the judiciary and the media is guided by constitutional freedoms of speech, expression, and the press. She cautioned journalists against biased or defamatory reporting, which she said creates undue pressure on judicial officers.

On the relationship between the judiciary and the police, Chief Magistrate Hwabiti clarified that the police’s role is limited to investigations and arrests, while the judiciary handles the prosecution of suspects once they appear in court. He urged journalists to rely on verified information and “seek informed consent rather than reporting hearsay from the community.”