GIVING DIGEST | When Media Gives Voice, It Changes Everything
What happens when a TV station chooses to centre women not as side stories, but as the story?
Ten years ago, Spark TV answered that question with bold clarity. Uganda’s first Luganda-language, women-centred television station didn’t just fill a gap, it created a mirror for millions of women who had never seen themselves fully reflected on screen. It was a gift of visibility in a society where women’s experiences were often sidelined or erased.
The station’s founding was an act of defiance against patriarchal media norms, and an act of generosity rooted in purpose. From community health to business, leadership, and emotional well-being, Spark TV built a platform not only for content about women, but by and for them. It challenged mainstream assumptions, opened space for new voices, and evolved with humility, adjusting its content mix to include men without diluting its mission.
As it celebrates a decade of impact, Spark TV stands as a testament to what intentional media can give: dignity, relevance, language that heals, and stories that move policy and hearts alike. It has not only shaped journalism standards in Uganda but also expanded what we imagine media can be when it serves, not sells.
🎤 Giving isn’t always charity. Sometimes, it’s handing someone a microphone, stepping back, and listening.
Source: Daily Monitor, April 20, 2025 – “Spark TV Marks 10 Years of Giving Women a Voice” by Shabibah Nakirigya