The Commissioner For Information Dissemination at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance Moses Watasa has implored the media to report accurately to gain intergrity despite rumpant misinformation era.
“Integrity in journalism means seeking truth, verifying facts, and presenting balanced perspectives. It means resisting sensationalism and click bait headlines that distort reality.” Moses Watasa said.
“When we prioritize ratings over accuracy, we risk fueling division, perpetuating harmful stereotypes, and undermining trust in institutions.” he added
He made the remarks while speaking to the media during the launch of Africa Statistics Week in Kampala under the theme:Supporting Education by Modernizing Production of Fit for Purpose Statistics” the challenges journalists face:
“I know the pressures of deadlines, editorial constraints, and the allure of viral stories. But I also know that each of you has the power to shape public discourse and influence societal attitudes,” Watasa noted
The Acting Head of Media and Public Relations at Uganda Bureau of Statistics Betty Nawoova pledged to avail a well-coordinated and all-inclusive platform necessary to take forward the gains of multi-stakeholder engagements on the data revolution whilst strengthening interactions and relationships between state, non-state and private sector actors in the data production process.
“It is our dream to have this high level national data forum as an annual event. Together, we embrace ‘better data for better lives,” Nawoova stated.
The spokesperson of Uganda prisons services Frank Baine noted that accurate data plays vital role in the growth and development of a country and serves as the backbone of informed decision making.
The statistics week is an annual event that is celebrated to raise public awareness of the importance of statistics in all aspects of social and economic life
