UCC issues reminder to all Online Data Communication and Broadcasting Services to obtain authorization.
The Uganda Communications Commission or UCC has issued a strong reminder to all Online Data Communication and Broadcasting Services to obtain authorization letters to prevent their operations from being cut short.
In a statement released on Monday, all broadcasting services including blogs, online televisions, online radios, online newspapers, audio over IP (AoIP), Internet Protocol TV (IPTV), Video on Demand (VoD), Digital Audio radios and televisions, internet radio and televisions are required to obtain authorisation from UCC before providing any service to the public.
Below is a full statement from UCC
The purpose of this Public Notice is to advise all persons currently offering or planning to commence the provision of online data communication and broadcasting services including but not limited to blogs, online televisions, online radios, online newspapers, audio over IP (AoIP), Internet Protocol TV (IPTV), Video on Demand (VoD), Digital Audio radios and televisions, internet/web radio and internet/web television, to obtain authorisation from UCC before providing such services to the public.
The Uganda Communication Commission (UCC) was established under section 4 of the Uganda Communications Act, 2013 (the Act) as the regulator in the development of a modern communications sector that includes telecommunications, broadcasting, radio communications, postal communications, data communication and infrastructure.
Under sections 2, 5 and 27 of the Act and Regulation 5 of the Uganda Communications (Content) Regulations 2019, UCC is mandated to license, regulate and set standards for the provision of all communication services in Uganda, including radio communication and online broadcasting.
Regulation of communication services is intended to promote and safeguard the interest of consumers, operators, viewers and listeners.
The purpose of this Public Notice, therefore, is to advise all persons currently offering or planning to commence the provision of online data communication and broadcasting services including but not limited to blogs, online televisions, online radios, online newspapers, audio over IP (AoIP), Internet Protocol TV (IPTV), Video on Demand (VoD), Digital Audio radios and televisions, internet/web radio and internet/web television, to obtain authorisation from UCC before providing such services to the public.
All persons engaged in the provision of the above services are accordingly advised to regularise their operations by obtaining the necessary authorisation from UCC by 5th of October 2020.
Please note that the Commission authorises Entities to provide online data communication services on the following terms and conditions;
The Authorised Entity undertakes to abide at all times to the provisions of the Uganda Communications Act 2013 and all other laws in Uganda.
The Authorised Entity shall ensure full and extensive disclosure of the shareholding and financial structures as provided in the application and shall ensure that this status is adhered to throughout the authorisation period.
The Authorised Entity shall ensure content uniformity between the online version and any print versions of the content that may be printed.
The Authorisation shall be restricted to only the Authorised Entity and shall not be transferred except with prior written consent of the Commission.
The Authorised Entity undertakes to ensure that all employees (if any) are given contracts of employment specifying the terms and conditions of their employment.
The Authorised Entity undertakes to ensure that all that is broadcast on its website or any other online electronic platform conforms with the laws of Uganda, the code of conduct for broadcasters, the Minimum broadcasting standards and the code of ethics of journalists.
The Authorised Entity shall have a public interest obligation to:
ensure pluralism in the provision of news, views and information, giving wide and enlighten choices to citizens and contribute significantly to an effective and vibrant democracy provide a balanced and wide variety of points of view on matters of public concern; contribute to the development of pro-social values by providing content of specific interest to all ethnic groups, gender, and persons with disabilities accurately and fairly;
The Authorised Entity undertakes to ensure that any content which is broadcast on its platform(s)- is not contrary to public morality;
doesn’t promote the culture of violence or ethnical prejudice among the public; is free from distortion of facts; is not likely to create public insecurity or violence; complies with all the existing laws; is not pornographic;
The Authorised Entity undertakes to make all it’s content available to the Commission immediately on demand.
That the Commission may cancel this Authorisation by notice in writing for breach of any of the above provisions in which case the Authorised Entity thereupon will immediately cease offering its online publishing services.
