Legislators deliberated and passed the Media Authority Bill to the third reading giving the parliament a bigger say in the process.
Joy Kwaje Eluzai presented the joint report of the two committees of Information, Telecommunications and Culture, and Legislation and Justice on the Media Authority Bill, 2012, in its second reading.She said the Bill is intended to promote independent media in the public interest through the establishment of an autonomous authority to oversee the media industry in the country.
Ms Kwaje told journalists after the debate that she and her team had enough elements to prepare the third reading of the Media Authority Bill next week.
The Media Authority Bill has 11 chapters with 66 clauses dealing with preliminary provisions, establishment, functions and powers, funding, frequency planning and licensing and appeal board among others.
The MPs approved that the members of the board appointed by the President of the Republic should be vetted by the National Assembly.
They also okayed the recommendation that the reports of the authority should be submitted for presentation to the National Assembly and rules and regulations issued by the authority should be approved by the National Assembly.
Deputy Speaker Fatuma Nyawang, who chaired the sitting, said the Media Authority Bill “was the bill that the country was waiting for.”
The Right to Information Bill, the third media bill, is scheduled for second reading on Wednesday.
Ê