Today (3rd May 2025) as the world commemorates World Press Freedom Day, we at COTFONE and Tournons La Page (TLP-Uganda) stand in solidarity with all journalists, media houses, and civil society actors who risk their safety to speak truth to power and defend the rights of vulnerable communities.
The Theme of the day is – ‘Reporting in the Brave New World: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media’. But as COTFONE and TLP-Uganda, we shall look at ‘Guarding the Watchdogs’
As a community-focused civil society network & a national coalition on human rights and democracy in Uganda, our role is to amplify the voices of those often ignored like farmers, displaced families, and ordinary people affected by large-scale developments like the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), Lwera Rice Growing & Sand Mining, Palm Oil Growing at Sango Bay (Kyotera & Masaka Districts) etc. We have witnessed firsthand the injustices, poor compensation, and environmental risks associated with such projects. And we have partnered with journalists to expose these truths.
But this work comes at a high cost.
CSOs like ours are increasingly targeted by state authorities and security operatives, not for breaking the law, but for collaborating with the media to highlight injustices. We are labeled as enemies and anti-development. Monitored and Intimidated. Some of our partners in the media have faced harassment simply for publishing the truth we help uncover.
This shrinking civic space is deeply troubling.
- So, how can we talk about press freedom if those who inform the press are under threat?
- How can we celebrate media independence when civil society is criminalised for whistle-blowing?
We condemn the ‘weaponisation’ of state security agencies to silence both CSOs and journalists. We have seen rogue individuals act with impunity, threatening our staff and media partners. And yet, despite the risks, we choose courage over silence. “It is because silence breeds or feeds oppression,” said Kayinga Muddu Yisito, the National Coordinator – COTFONE & TLP-Uganda
Our call today is in threefold;
To the State
– Respect and protect the rights of journalists and civil society actors.
– Uphold the law and democratic principles. Stop criminalising truth!.
To the Media
– Continue to be bold. We stand with you. Together, we are stronger in the face of intimidation.
To Fellow CSOs and Citizens
– Let’s remain united and vigilant. Let us speak out not only for ourselves but for every marginalised voice.
On this World Press Freedom Day, we reaffirm that press freedom and civil society freedom are inseparable. Defending one means defending the other. And defending both means protecting democracy. “It only takes a brave heart and determination to tell these stories. Let us not back down,” said TLP-Uganda.;
