News consumers miss NTV, Daily Monitor

What the report says

The Independent Uganda, citing Uganda Radio Network, reports that nearly a month after the June 28 closure of Nation Media Group Uganda, audiences across the country say they are missing NTV Uganda, Spark TV, KFM, Dembe FM and Daily Monitor. The report says many former viewers, listeners and readers have either stopped following news or shifted to platforms they regard as less dependable.

Much of the account focuses on NTV Uganda’s 7 p.m. Luganda bulletin, Akawungeezi, which had become a regular public viewing event at shops, kiosks and trading centres. Business owners in Nabweru, Mbarara, Nakaseke and Fort Portal told URN that crowds which used to gather for the bulletin have thinned or disappeared, also reducing small sales linked to those evening audiences. Other viewers in Wakiso, Nakawa, Kotido, Mbale, Hoima and Kabale said they missed NTV’s news depth, local reporting, public affairs programmes and Daily Monitor’s coverage.

Several people quoted in the report appealed for the authorities to allow NMG Uganda’s outlets to resume operations, saying the closure had limited access to information and affected both audiences and workers. The article says the government suspended NMG Uganda operations on June 28, accusing the media group of blackmailing government and its leaders.

The reported audience reaction matters because NMG’s outlets have been among Uganda’s most prominent private media platforms. The Independent notes that NTV Uganda has ranked among the country’s leading television stations, while Daily Monitor is Uganda’s second-largest English-language daily after New Vision and is associated with independent and investigative reporting.