Declare your interests and go away – Ofwono Opondi tells journalists

The Executive Director Uganda Media Center Ofono Opondo has challenged journalists to stop pretending with the profession when they are politicians.

During a press interview at Uganda Media Center on Thursday when NRM was revealing its accomplishment of the 2016-2021 manifesto, Ofono said “It is okay for somebody to come out but when you come out declare your interest and go away. Don’t continue pretending to be a journalist.”

He believes media houses are losing credibility because of not strictly enforcing professional ethical standards in their newsrooms same reason some talk show hosts are also officials in political parties.
“I am sure you know NTV is not where it was 10 years ago. It has lost ground partly because of its 2016 elections.
We told them over and over that you have biased reporters, editors and producers and they didn’t listen. See where they are.” He added
This follows a political wave that has hit the journalism profession and seen personalities like Kazibwe Bashir Mbaziira, Joel Ssenyonyi, Kalule Sulaiman, Sulaiman Kakaire and others either becoming political spokes persons or contesting for parliamentary sits.

Ofono also revealed that journalists serving both in politics and journalism are casting doubt of credibility to the journalism profession and the media houses they work with.