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Uganda Christian University




KIGGUNDU ABIMANYI JOHN
SO6BO4/330
BAMC/II




Media Law
Advanced Assignment



AGAINST THE CRIMINALISATION OF SEDITION




Supervisor: Professor Fredrick Jjuuko




21.07.2008



Sedition is a term of law, which refers to covert conduct, such as speech and organization, that is deemed by the legal authority as tending toward insurrection against the established order. Sedition often includes subversion of a constitution and incitement of discontent (or resistance) to lawful authority. Sedition may include any commotion, though not aimed at direct and open violence against the laws .

Sedition is somewhat similar to treason but the borderlines between the two are visible. The difference between sedition and treason consists primarily in the subjective ultimate object of the violation to the public peace. Sedition does not consist of levying war against a government nor of adhering to its enemies, giving state enemies aid and comfort. Nor does it consist, in most representative democracies, of peaceful protest against a government, nor of attempting to change the government by democratic means. It is simply stirring up of rebellion against the government in power. Treason on the other hand is act of violation of allegiance to one’s sovereign country or state .

Sedition envisages more than just words. However, the term that narrows down to our relevance as reporters is seditious libel. It refers to the offence of speaking/writing seditious words with seditious intent. The ancient British definition of seditious libel refers to the following. Statements that bring into hatred or contempt, the Queen or her heirs, or the government and constitution, or either House of Parliament, or the...