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DJ suspended over homo talkshow
29 August 2007-Uganda- The
Broadcasting Council has suspended Capital Radio presenter Gaetano Kaggwa and
programme controller George Manyali for “allowing foul language” in their
breakfast show last Wednesday.
The council also wants the men to prove that they are qualified to present the
programme. The one-week suspension took effect yesterday.
Council secretary Kagole Kivumbi said in the meantime the council is to
establish if the men could have stopped a woman calling herself a lesbian from
using “vulgar” language on the show that runs from 8:00am to 10:00am.
According to the council, the woman, Vicky Mukasa, used language that breached
broadcasting ethics.
Kivumbi cited the use of four-letter words and the explicit reference to female
genitalia. He said this was inappropriate in the morning “when families
including children are listening.”
He said the standards must be followed and that the station must have the
capacity to stop such language going on air. “The airwaves are a public facility
so the public interest should be taken into account.” The council summoned
Gaetano and Manyali yesterday.
According to Kivumbi, they did not provide evidence that they are qualified to
present the programme.
Consequently, the council, he added, would meet the management to discuss the
matter.
If proved that the language was foul, the radio station will be required to
apologise to the public and to undertake never to repeat the error, Kivumbi
said.
But if the practice persists, other disciplinary measures would be taken, he
added.
In a reaction, Gaetano said the management of the radio was behind him. However,
proprietor William Pike could not be reached for a comment yesterday.
Gaetano said he was being victimised because the show “was not vulgar” but “a
straight forward debate except perhaps for once or twice when the lady was a bit
derogatory.”
Vulgar language, he added, has been used in other shows but nothing has
happened.
“In the instance that vulgar language was
used, that is regrettable.”
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