Ronald Batre
17:33

West Nile Journalists Disown Jailed Red Pepper Reporter

17 Aug 2009, 14:36 1999 Views Arua, Uganda News Updates
The West Nile Association of Journalists and the West Nile Press Association have distanced itself from the actions of a reporter for the Red Pepper, Ronald Afeku, who was last week jailed for soliciting for a bribe to kill a story. The associations released a statement today condemning Afeku's actions as unprofessional. They suspended him from either association pending further disciplinary action. The Arua Grade Two Magistrate's Court jailed Ronald Afeku for 10 months for extortion and bribery. He was found guilty of demanding for and receiving two million shillings to kill a story on a road accident involving a British American Tobacco truck. Patrick Alioni, the chairperson of West Nile Press Association, said Afeku's actions brought the media profession into disrepute. //Cue in: iAs West Nile Press #i Cue out: i# such kind of behavior.i// Kefa Atibuni, chairperson of the West Nile Journalists Association, said Afeku acted contrary to the journalism ethical standard. He said the action against the journalist should act as a warning to others. The decision taken by the two associations suspend Afeku has been welcomed by both members of the public and district leaders. Ibrahim Abiriga, the Resident District Commissioner, calls on the Red Pepper to dismiss Afeku. //Cue in: iThese people are #i Cue out: i# to support opposition.i // Afeku who started serving his ten months jail term on Thursday last week, has also been remanded up to 19th of this month for four other counts of a crime he committed in 2004. He is facing charges of forgery, impersonation, uttering false document and obtaining money by false pretence in the chief magistrate's court.

 

Tagged with: media ethics bribery

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Ronald Batre