(Credit: State.gov)

The U.S. ambassador to Uganda, Jerry P. Lanier, called upon Ugandan journalists to adhere to media ethics, Uganda website New Vision reported Dec. 1.

“You cannot be credible, nor can you fulfil the fundamental role of sustaining and monitoring a healthy democracy without properly sourcing your articles, understanding the background and context and fact-checking what you write or say,” Lanier is quoted as saying.

“Journalists have the responsibility to speak the truth. You must not sensationalise, exaggerate, or just pass on rumours, or you will become a threat to stability and ultimately become irrelevant.”

According to New Vision, Lanier’s comments came “while launching the USA Press Corps, in which some journalists in Uganda will be trained.”

iMediaEthics has been reporting about the U.S. government’s involvement in training journalists in Liberia here.  We will also be investigating the U.S. training of journalists in Uganda and will update with our findings.

iMediaEthics has written to Lanier’s office and will update with any response.