Thread by @Jadwong

It turned out 10 out of 10👌👍! Let me recap #ProfMonicaChibita's Professorial #InauguralLecture #BetweenFreedomAndRegulation #Media #Communication #Uganda

https://twitter.com/Jadwong/status/1218162302932979713

PROF CHIBITA: An #InauguralLecture is an opportunity to close the gap between the ivory tower & the public square. The Inaugural Lecture is a joyous occasion that allows a University to 'launch' its new Prof with a degree of celebration! 1⃣ #BetweenFreedomAndRegulation

PROF CHIBITA: Under #Museveni, the #Uganda press has had a degree of editorial independence. However, the NRM Govt has been uncompromising with the media when they have published stories deemed to threaten 'public order' & 'national security.' 2⃣ #BetweenFreedomAndRegulation

PROF CHIBITA: A free #communication landscape should contribute to a more informed polity. I have argued in most of my publications that it is difficult to have democracy without a free flow of information & accountability. 3⃣ #InauguralLecture #BetweenFreedomAndRegulation

PROF CHIBITA: #Uganda’s low news reading (or news buying) culture may be attributed to affordability, low literacy levels, or a poor reading culture. The stapling (newspapers) solution seems to be Uganda’s way of dealing with this challenge. 4⃣ #BetweenFreedomAndRegulation

PROF CHIBITA: #Media regulation in #Uganda has tended to change with seasons, with regulators seeming to be on heightened alert at peak political moments. There are seasons when the law is rarely invoked, then others where one will be found 5⃣ #BetweenFreedomAndRegulation

PROF CHIBITA: By their sheer numbers, #youth have become a factor media owners, advertisers, church leaders & yes, politicians cannot ignore. Any media research on audience patterns must pay special attention to the youth category. 6⃣ #BetweenFreedomAndRegulation

PROF CHIBITA: Joseph Stiglitz argues that without information, 'people cannot demand change or accountability. They know no better.' In other words, if you do not want people to ask questions, deny them #information. #InauguralLecture 7⃣ #BetweenFreedomAndRegulation

PROF CHIBITA: The way this emerging communication landscape is managed potentially has a bearing on our democracy. People need information to participate meaningfully in debate and in decision-making. 8⃣ #InauguralLecture #BetweenFreedomAndRegulation

PROF CHIBITA: The argument that runs through my work on freedom of expression (and #media freedom) in Uganda, therefore, is that it is free, but it is not to be taken for granted. #InauguralLecture 9⃣ #BetweenFreedomAndRegulation

PROF CHIBITA: I realize we still have a long way to go in finding a solution for regulation of the current #communication environment. Whether we choose to regulate or not to, we risk throwing out the baby with the bath-water! 🔟 #InauguralLecture #BetweenFreedomAndRegulation

Plse unroll this #ProfChibita #InauguralLecture #BetweenFreedomAndRegulation
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PROF MONICA CHIBITA: A well managed #communication landscape key to #democracy in #Uganda
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#ProfChibita #InauguralLecture #Uganda #Media #education #BetweenFreedomAndRegulation
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