Kin Karisa : Regulate Online Broadcasters on Social Media Platforms

In a plea for action against misinformation, the departing chairperson of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has called on the government to license and regulate online broadcasters through individual social media platforms.

Speaking at the association’s 24th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Kampala, Dr. Kin Kariisa expressed concerns about the increasing presence of online vloggers in the commercial advertising landscape, encroaching on traditional media revenues while avoiding tax obligations. He emphasized that some of the content presented by online broadcasters might be misinterpreted as citizen journalism.

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In 2020, the government initiated regulations, urging bloggers and online radios to register before the October 5, 2020 deadline, accompanied by an annual fee of Shs100,000 (27 USD). The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) issued a public notice outlining the need for authorization for online data communication and broadcasting services, including blogs, online televisions, online radios, online newspapers, audio over IP (AoIP), Internet Protocol TV (IPTV), Video on Demand (VoD), Digital Audio radios and televisions, internet/web radio, and internet/web television.

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“The purpose of this Public Notice, therefore, is to advise all persons currently offering or planning to commence the provision of online data communication and broadcasting services…to obtain authorization from UCC before providing such services to the public,” stated the UCC communication.

Responding to concerns raised at the 24th NAB AGM, Ms. Julianne Mweheire, the director for Industry Affairs and Content Development at UCC, emphasized the need to regulate the content disseminated by vloggers in their online broadcasts. The government’s focus is not only on licensing but also on ensuring that the information shared aligns with regulatory standards and avoids the spread of misinformation.