Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has issued a time frame for Local Televisions to air air their respective gossip programs.
According to UCC All gossip shows in the country should start airing between 10 pm and 5am. When this website contacted UCC’s head of Multi-media Meddie Kaggwa for a comment on the matter, he confirmed that they had written to all stations that run those gossip shows.
A viral thread tweet by Urban TV statement reads that the new directives have been passed on grounds that the shows aired contain adult content, sexual innuendos, and profanity with potential to disturb and harm some members of the public especially the children.
The tweet further stated that some of the gossip show hosts turn up on air while decked indecently and in skimpy outfits adding that also the language and statements used by presenters during the shows are often demeaning and contain unsubstantiated claims against different individuals.
Earlier this month, this website published a story where UCC had summoned presenters of eight local television stations for allegedly using abusive, demeaning, derogatory statements against different personalities. It is believed the discussions thereafter brought about this directive.
This directive by Uganda Communications Commission is expected to take effect effect on Wednesday 20th, October 2021. The big question however is will this directive be adhered to by the local TV stations because these gossip shows air in prime time something that attracts huge revenue from advertisements and if they are to shift in time of airing, this will be a stab in the back for the local television stations.
Lets watch this space !
