By Mulengera Reporters
In what could create many more jobs while inevitably increasing operational expenses for TV stations in Uganda, regulator UCC has vowed to close down all TVs which operate news programs with sign language experts inserted in one corner of the TV screen to cater for the people with disabilities preventing them hearing what’s being read. The TV channels which UCC says have been warned several times have up to 1st January 2019. In case they don’t have any, UCC which has made this a licensing condition will just switch them off without further warning. UCC is doing all this under Article 35 of the Constitution & Persons with Disabilities Act (2006). UCC also says much as it may cost a little more money for the TV businesses, they have nothing to do because this is a minority rights issue and forms part of the Minimum Broadcasting Standards under S31 & Schedule 4 of the Uganda Communications Act (2003). It’s not going to be easy because majority of the major TV stations haven’t been complying with this Constitutional & good practice principle requirement.
