Thursday, 17 November 2016

Individual defamation case study



Ugandan radio journalist convicted of criminal libel


A Ugandan journalist Ronald Ssembuusi was convicted of criminal defamation for reporting false accusations against the former district chairman, Dan Kikoola, of theft.


40 solar panels that had been donated by African Development Bank had gone missing. The story reported that Kikoola was guilty of thieving these panels. The report was later aired on radio and the inaccurate information was shared publicly amongst the listeners.


Despite efforts to argue that journalists have the freedom of speech, Ssembuusi was found guilty of defamation.


This has gone against number 2 of the 12 main journalist ethics and standards as the information spread is not honest and inaccurate.


 



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