Uganda Communications Commission has shut down Urban TV’s Scoop on Scoop a TV programme that undresses socialites in Kampala.
UCC received numerous complaints in May and accordingly wrote to Vision Group on May 25, 2020, seeking an explanation and details on the qualifications of the staff behind the gossip show.
In her letter of May 25, 2020, Ms Kaggwa Sewankambo the acting Executive Director of the commission said they had received complaints that the content and nature of Scoop on Scoop.
Urban Television Scoop on Scoop programme violated the Minimum Broadcasting Standards as enshrined in the Uganda Communications Act 2013.
The complainants had alleged that during the month of May 2020, Scoop on Scoop featured content that was abusive, demeaning, inciting, opinionated and not attributed to any reliable source.
Urban TV was tasked to provide proof of certification and registration of the producer, the host of the programme in accordance with sections 5 and 27 of the Press and Journalist Act, Cap. 105.
In their response, Vision Group wrote to the Commission on May 29, 2020, stating that the complaint had been forwarded to its Human Resource Department for disciplinary action.
Vision Group enclosed DVDs of the programme, but neither made representations on the complaint as requested nor provided evidence of the producer and the host’s academic qualifications.
Further complaints prompted the Communications regulator to act. In her letter of June 30, 2020, to Vision Group, the UCC Executive Director pointed out that Urban TV had not complied with the Commission’s directives.
“The Commission notes with concern that other than generally stating that Urban TV had subjected the said complaint to your internal processes, your response of May 29, 2020, did not comply with the Commission’s directives as indicated in the letter of May 25,” the Executive Director wrote.
Ms Kaggwa Sewankambo further noted that in addition to not complying with the Commission’s directives, the TV station had continued to air the same programme.
This was in the same manner, leading to other complaints, including one dated June 24, 2020, from M/s Balondemu & Co. Advocates.
In their complaint, Balondemu & Co. Advocates alleged that Urban TV had in the past three weeks used Scoop on Scoop to broadcast “false, offensive, scandalous and harmful content” against their clients Mr Ali Marcus and Ms Sheila G. Gashumba.”
Sheila Gashumba Cyber Bullied
According to Sheila C. Gashumba, Tina Fierce has frustrated their lives, caused a lot of depression to their families, sleepless nights due to her biased reports characterized by insults and contempt.
Marcus Lwanga, Sheila’s boyfriend says Tina Fierce went on using her media platform to insult and scorn him.
This forced his hand to call upon the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) to review her show.
He argued that the show caused a lot of complications to his lovely mother’s health because her blood pressure rises every time she watches Tina spreading lies about his finances and relationship with Sheilah Gashumba.
He advised that Tina Fierce should take a break and revise the virtues of Journalism which is, to tell the truth, educate, inform and inspire but not attacking people.
The couple took a step further to hold to account Urban TV and the Lugambo (gossip) machinery presenter.
They vied for Ugandan Shillings 400 Million as compensation and through their Lawyers; M/s Balondemu & Co. Advocates, the popular couple threatened to sue the presenter for tarnishing their image in public.
The couple beamed with joy on Monday when Urban Television announced that Christine Karungi aka Tina Fierce’s Scoop on Scoop show was to take a season break and return later, bigger and better.
Having finally downed a TV show, Sheilah went on her Twitter page and thanked the UCC Officials and her lawyers for having adhered to her cry and ditched out her tormentor.
According to the New Vision Management, Christine Karungi will not be on air for a while. She is to resume work after some issues are resolved.
For now, the programme will remain suspended until Urban TV has satisfactorily demonstrated to the Commission that the show 'has sufficient controls to avoid the risk of breaching the Minimum Broadcasting Standards and the rights of other members of the public'.
The urban TV station is required to comply with the Commission’s directives issued earlier on May 25, 2020, and to submit recordings of the programme for the month of June.
The UCC Executive Director warns that Urban TV risks 'other appropriate regulatory sanctions' if the station doesn’t adhere to the aforesaid directives.
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