No story is worth a journalist’s life

By Angela Nyakuni

All trained journalists know this; “no story is worth a journalist’s life.” If journalists knew it they would not put their lives at risk; exposing themselves to danger.

Besides, journalists ought to separate feelings from their work. Once you mix feelings with work the end result is causality/collateral damage. Journalism is all about balanced reporting, but these days journalists take sides. One of the rules in journalism is that you should not use your profession to harass others. This is where the problem lies. After you are hit you cry for sympathy, yet you were doing politics not journalism!

UPDF Chief Political Commissar Henry Matsiko says, “If you mingle with a very volatile situation, it may be difficult to isolate the actors who are on the wrong side. Once you are a journalist, prove to us that you are exercising journalism.”

Meanwhile the violence is escalating to wananchi,  Naluwoza Sophie of Myanzi town, Mityana was allegedly attacked by thugs, who accused her of distributing NRM T- shirts.

 This violence must be stopped.  There is power to stop this madness. It is not worth it.  Violence starts when you use your power to influence negative thoughts, triggering a series of actions you can hardly control.

“Yesterday, Frank Gashumba who I really don’t hold in any regard (very unfortunate that I have to even mention him) posted that Ashraf had been shot dead. The responses fuelled potential revengeful criminality,” says Pamela Ankunda.

Ankunda says, “If M/s.Naluwoza recovers, I hope she stands as a symbol of the much needed peace and forgiveness against her tormentors-even if the law demands that culprits are apprehended and tried. Those of you on my TL trying to justify violence, sijui anger this and God knows what, save your energy.”

All in all, there is need of sense of direction. However big a vehicle may be it will always be driven by one driver.