Aloysius Kasoma reflects on the importance of responsible journalism in addressing GBV

21 September 2024, 2:48 pm

Byamukama Alozious

Aloysius Kasoma, a senior journalist at New Vision, primarily works on the business desk but has a keen interest in gender-based issues and children’s welfare. Recently, Kasoma attended a training organised by the Uganda Media Women’s Association (UMWA), which he described as a pivotal moment in refining his journalistic responsibilities.

He shared his thoughts on the impact of the training, stating, “first of all, I appreciate UMWA for organising this refresher training. It is equipping us journalists and awakening us to our basic responsibility as professional journalists.”

Kasoma explained that the training brought a renewed sense of professionalism and responsibility to the forefront of his mind. “There’s a lot of professionalism in the discussions happening in these training sessions.

This is the second day I’ve been here, and it’s a refresher, an awakening to what we are supposed to do as journalists—going back to the drawing board, to professionalism.” He pointed out that the ethics of journalism have declined in recent times, and the training provided a much-needed reminder of the foundational principles of the profession.

Kasoma also emphasised the need to work more closely with local authorities to address gender-based violence and children’s issues. He remarked, “I am now motivated to collaborate with local authorities and stakeholders to ensure that these alarming statistics are addressed effectively. We need to report the stories but also advocate for action through these platforms.”

One of the most significant takeaways for Kasoma was the emphasis on moving beyond press releases and providing informative, context-rich reporting. “It’s about reporting stories not just from the perspective of a press release but from an informative point of view,” he stated, acknowledging the need for deeper, more thoughtful reporting.

Kasoma praised the collaborative nature of the training, which brought together journalists from various media houses and backgrounds. “The idea of grouping journalists from different media houses and backgrounds is excellent. It’s a wake-up call. It helps us learn from one another, sharing the knowledge and experience we have in the field. These shared notes become a complete package, a reminder of what we are supposed to do.”

In closing, Kasoma reflected on how the training served not just as a learning experience but as a reawakening of his professional duties. “It’s not about blaming; it’s about understanding our role, improving our reporting, and ensuring we hold ourselves accountable to the ethical standards we once upheld.”

Uganda faces alarming rates of gender-based violence, with 95% of Ugandan women experiencing some form of violence in their lifetime and 56% of married women aged 15 to 49 facing violence in their homes. In workplaces, 86% of women encounter violence, underscoring the urgent need for action at both policy and community levels to address these persistent issues.

This training, which has left a profound impact on journalists like Kasoma, was made possible through the support of the Austrian Development Corporation. Their funding has played a critical role in enabling UMWA to equip journalists with the necessary skills and knowledge to address pressing issues such as gender-based violence and children’s rights, ensuring more accurate and impactful reporting in Uganda.