The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC)Recently issued a directive that saw almost every Television Gossip show take a break. Many Ugandan viewers were taken by shock a few weeks ago when they realized that they couldn’t watch their favorite Television shows which largely air in the evening, concerning news around and about their celebrities here in Uganda.
Uganda has over 27 Television Stations and over 200 Radio Situations as Of a report by Uganda Communications Commission, a body tasked with regulating Media houses in Uganda. A sizable number of these Televisions show gossip television shows and of late they had become the real deal among Television lovers here.
For a long time, news about celebrities here in Uganda would just be a segment in Music shows on TV and Radio, and would not las more that five minutes. However, in 2017, as SPARK TV was starting, under Agie Asiimwe Konde, the then Managing Director of NTV – Uganda, came with a full show, dedicated to Celebrity Gossip alone. The pioneer presenters of this show include Nambooze Annet (Anatalia ozzie)and Zahara Totto who have since moved to NEXT MEDIA to run another Gossip show called UNCUT On NBS TV and SANYUKA TV.
WHAT EXACTLY ARE “GOSSIP SHOWS.”
A Gossip show is basically a show on TV or Radio giving people news about celebrities or popular figures in our country – Sometimes true and on other occasions false. These are largely entertainment shows which bring viewers up to speed with what is happening around their celebrities. Here, Show hosts talk about news concerning Musicians, Record Producers, Actors and actresses, Bars, Festivals, Night clubs, Theme Parties such as “Blankets and Wines,””Nyege Nyege” etc.
These stories are usually not so far from which Artiste has defaulted on rent, Which celebrity is no longer relevant, who fought in bars etc…such casual stories but which catch the attention of Ugandans. Hence offering an alternative form of entertainment for people across all classes.
Over time, Many TVs picked up this concept and before we knew it, there was a Gossip show on almost every TV. There was a lot of competition for news and the need to attract a big Audience and so use of Vulgar language on Air, Airing of false news, and direct attack of personalities and etc. As a result, Celebrities complained about some shows but there was no change.
In an ugly twist of events, Some musicians started hunting down Show hosts, with many getting a beating of their lifetime, Kasuku of Dembe Fm was thumped by Eddie Kenzo in 2014. Kayz of Nbs TV had a stint at Kitalya Prison for defaming Omulangira4 Suuna , TV stations were sued etc.
Following a long outcry from celebrities to UCC To regulate these shows; UCC Recently ordered that these shows be scrapped or they Air from 10 pm onward, with proper language and facts. Of course it is hard for viewers to adjust to this time. It is also a set back for The sponsors of these shows who prefer Prime time to Advertise. This risks cancellation from Sponsors.
On a Positive note, these shows are a form of entertainment to people, Musicians and Actors are able to promote their work through these shows. Many Presenters earn employment through hosting these shows. These shows also bring in lots of money because they are widely watched and attract big sponsorship.
Therefore, if there are a few Unprofessional journalists, TVs could retrain them. Presenters who give wrong news should be banned from TV. Other than that, these are good shows which should not be scrapped form Air. God bless.