Media Watch Jul-Aug, 2014 - Media Council of Tanzania Website

Issue No. 145 July/august, 2014
...It fits well dear friend
MCT geTs
new board
at last a dream
come true as
ngC is held at
Kimalang’ombe
Page5
Juma
nkamia
makes a
u-turn
Page11
raid at Majira
newsroom
scare reporters
Page14
Editorial
Let’s all contribute and make
this project a reality
F
or members of the Media Council of Tanzania (MCT) and media
stakeholders, June 24 and 25, 2014 will always be remembered
for their historical significance. Why? – It is simple. Since 1995
when media practitioners endorsed the establishment of the
voluntary media council which began to operate in earnest from 1997, its
secretariat has been operating in rented premises.
When the issue of the Council’s sustainability gained currency among
members and stakeholders, it first acquired a plot at Zinga village in
Bagamoyo District for the purpose of setting a midcareer of Journalism
training school but the idea and the project was slow to take off due to
resource constraints. For badluck, the Zinga area was later taken over by
government to Economic Processing Zone Authority (EPZA) activities.
As the issue of sustainability was still paramount for the survival of the
Council the question of having its own home was inescapable. This
prompted the Secretariet to acquire an area at Kimalang’ombe in
Bagamoyo.
This time around, with a serious practical foresight, process of
developing the area took hold. An architectural impression of the area
was prepared and initial site developments have been undertaken.
The sandy area of 14 merged plots covering 11,000 plus square meters
is now fenced by a concrete brick wall with a sentry quarter. A water
well has also been drilled.
With this development, financed by resources raised by the Council
through its various activities including management fees, consultancy and
research, construction of MCT’s headquarters at Kimalang’ombe is no
longer a dream but a reality that has carried the day.
Those two days – June 24 and 25 are of specific significance in that on
June 24, members of the MCT drawn from all over the country and other
stakeholders participated in the annual professional Ethics symposium
which preceded the National General Convention (NGC) held on the
following day June 25,2014.
Both the symposium and NGC were held in a large tent pitched in the
Kimalang’ombe fenced space – earmarked for the construction of the
proposed headquarters of MCT. The reason for holding the two events
at that area was to instill the sense of belonging and ownership to the
members and stakeholders. The project is expected to consume a
colossal amount of TZS 7 billion on completion.
Initial steps to raise the required amount of resources to develop the
headquarter’s complex was to distribute fund-raising forms to members
whereby each form bearer is expected to raise TZS 2 million by October
this year. It is pertinent for members and stakeholders alike to
understand the magnitude and importance of the sustainability venture.
This project should not be taken as an isolated undertakin belonging
to those who are running the Council. It squarely belongs to all media
practitioners and stakeholders. In that regard, all of us should collectively
get committed to see its completion. Everyone should strugle first to
raise the required amount and take extra-ordinary steps to contribute to
the project. Let’s rise to the occasion and make the project a reality
2
July - August 2014
Cover Story
Mihayo to
lead new
board to
steer MCT
By MW Reporter
A
new nine-member
Governing Board that
will steer the Media
Council of Tanzania
(MCT) for the next three years has
been elected at an historical National
General Convention held at the site
where the planned headquartersof
the Council will be built.
During the elections held in a
large tent pitched in the fenced area
of 14 plots covering11,769
squaremetres at Kimalang’ombe in
Bagamoyo on June 25, 2014, about 90
active members of MCT and
delegates to the NGC, elected Justice
Thomas Mihayo the new President of
the Governing Board.
Justice Mihayo is not new at the
Council as he has chaired the
CoVEr PHOTO
The outgoing norwegian ambassador, Ingunn
Klepsvik smiles as the Human resources
Manager of the Media Council of Tanzania,
Ziada Kilobo, fits properly a headscarf on her
while the regulation and standards Manager,
Pili Mtambalike, looks on. Photo: adam Mzee.
story and more photos page 9, 10.
Justice Thomas Mihayo, the new President of the governing board of the Media Council
of Tanzania (MCT).
Council’s Ethics Committee for the
past three years.
He takes over from justice Dr.
Robert Kisanga who had served in
that capacity for two three year
terms consecutively.
Veteran broadcaster and Director
General of Zanzibar Broadcasting
Corporation (ZBC), Hassan Abdallah
Continues page 4
VERBATIM
While the legitimacy of
the executive, legislature
and judiciary is through
the ballot box and the
country’s constitution,
that of the media is in the
public it purports to
serve
– Kajubi Mukajanga,
Executive Secretary
MCT addressing
Zimbabwe journalists in June, 2014.
3
Media Council of Tanzania Newsletter
Cover Story
Mihayo to lead new board to steer MCT
The chairperson of the team which supervised the elections of governing board Members of the Media Council of Tanzania, Jane
Mihanji, displays the ballot box before voting.
From page 3
Mitawi was elected Vice chairperson.
He takes over from Chande Omar
Omar who, like Justice Kisanga had
completed two three year terms
running as provided by the Council’s
Constitution.
Mitawi had previously served as
member of MCT’s Governing Board.
Seven other members who were
elected during the NGC are Wallace
Mauggo, the managing editor of The
Guardian, Tuma Abdallah - Senior
Editor at Daily News, Badra Masoud Head of Communications at the
Ministry of Energy and Minerals, Rose
Haji Mwalimu – media consultant.
Other members from the public
elected include prominent
businessman Ali Mfuruki, Justice
JaxtonMlay, and Prof Bernadetta
Killian.
According to the Council’s
4
constitution, the president of the
Governing Board is a non–media
person while the Vice President
comes from the media.
It also provides that four of the
members must be media persons and
three must be representatives from
the public.
Badra Masoud and Rose Haji were
members in the previous board while
another previous member Rafii Haji
Makame lost in the elections.
Other members of the previous
board –Kenneth Simbaya, UssuMallya
and Prof Meena were not eligible for
vying the elected positions as they
had completed two three-year terms
each.
Outgoing President Justice Dr.
Kisanga congratulated the new board
members and also expressed
gratitude to members of the Council
for the good cooperation they had
afforded him during his leadership.
He also showered praise to the
Council’s Secretariat pointing out
that he has confidence in it. “ They
are committed in running the Council
under the strong leadership of the
Executive Secretary of the Council,
Kajubi Mukajanga”, he said.
In his remarks, Justice Kisanga also
spoke on the question of
sustainability of the Council which he
said had been dogging it throughout
his leadership at the Council.
One way of attaining sustainability ,
he said, is accomplishing the building
of the Council’s headquarters.
Dr. Kisanga said the project did
not come out of the blue and
appealed to membersof the Council
and media stakeholders to give the
Council adequate support.
He also praised Council members
for being responsible in paying their
membership dues in time and urged
them to continue with that spirit
July - August 2014
News
at last a dream come true as
ngC is held at Kimalang’ombe
By MW Reporter
F
or 178 members of the
Media Council of Tanzania
(MCT) including 38 new
members, it is now real that
the Council has a new seat – the site
for the proposed headquarters at
Kimalang’ombe in Bagamoyo some
50 kilometres west from the present
premises of the Council’s secretariat
at Mwenge in Dar es Salaam.
On June 24 and 25, 2014 – the
MCT members converged in a wide
tent pitched at the walled site of 14
merged plots for a one-day
professional symposiumon June 24
and the National General
Convention (NGC) the following day.
The Executive Secretary of MCT,
Kajubi Mukajanga expressed deep
appreciation on the landmark
achievement for holding the
symposium at the site of the
proposed headquarters of the
Council.
He reminded the delegates that
the decision of the Council to have
its own premises was adopted during
the NGC held in Zanzibar two years
ago. He was happy that the cherished
dream was beginning to materialise.
As he welcomed the participants
to the annual professional symposium
that precedes the NGC, Mukajanga
was elated as he pointed out it was a
landmark achievement for the
Council to have acquired its own
home.
He explained that the initial
developments including the
construction of a wall fence, a well
and a sentry were completed using
funds raised by the Council through
Continues page 6
The executive secretary of the Media Council, Kajubi Mukajanga in a tete a tete with the President of the governing board of the
Council, Justice dr. robert Kisanga during the national general Convention (gnC) held in bagamoyo on June 25, 2014.
5
Media Council of Tanzania Newsletter
News
From page 5
its various activities such as
consultancy, management fees and
research.
Mukajanga has all the reasons to
be happy on the achievement.
On July 30, 2008 he expressed the
wish for the Council to have its own
home when he delivered his
acceptance speech before the NGC
after he was appointed Executive
Secretary.
He expressed the wish in style posing a rhetorical question to the
delegates: “ How many of us here
wish to see MCT as home owner”,
he asked and added “Isn’t it a sweet
dream?”
at last a dream come true as
ngC is held at Kimalang’ombe
“So let us start working on it”, he
had said adding that “we will
strategise on how to raise funds for
the building which can be a home as
well as a source of income”.
Mukajanga said “ We could let
space to professional media
associations, small schools of
journalism, press conference
organisers and so on.
With a committed Secretariat and
a supportive Board - five to six years
later down the line MCT could stop
being a tenant. Mukajanga had said.
The idea of MCT having its own
building was echoed by Justice Dr.
Robert Kisang in his first speech as
the President of the Council’s
The regulation and standards Manager, Pili Mtambalike presents the annual progress
report of the Media Council for 2013.
The Finance Manager of the Media Council of Tanzania, John nguya,presents the
audited finance report of the Council for the period ending 31, december 2013.
6
Governing Board.
Speaking during the inauguration
of the new Governing Board which
was elected on December 17, 2008,
Justice Dr. Kisanga said that by having
its own building MCT would be
sustainable and pointed out the
government can assist in many ways
to attain that goal.
The inauguration held on Jan
27,2009 was graced by the then Vice
President Ali Mohamed Shein who
was represented by the then Minister
in charge with the information
docket, Muhammad Seif Khatib.
Now six years later after
Mukajanga posed the rhetorical
question on the possibility of the
Council owning its own home,
realisation of that is coming closer
following acqcusition of a large area
of 14 plots.
Within a short period to come the
Council would be moving to realise
its ambition of having its own home.
In a way the government has
played its part as it facilitated the
Council to acquire the plots and the
district Commissioner for Bagamoyo,
Ahmed Kipozi who is by profession a
media practitioner assisted in paving
the road to the plots and installation
of electricity.
The Council has begun in earnest
a campaign to raise funds for the
project by providing special forms to
its members .
Each member has been asked to
raise at least TZS 2 million by
October this year.
The Council expects to raise TZS
500 million from the members
contributions for the project
estimated to cost around TZS 7
billion.
In a move to sentimental
attachment to the move and steer up
for contributions, MCT Executive
Secretary, Mukajanga pledged to
contribute TZS 2 million.
In another symbolic gesture,
delegates to the Convention planted
trees around the area of 14 plots, a
ritual to signify yet another blessing
for the Council which was
established by media practitioners
and stakeholders in 1995
Media faces
daunting
challenges
By Hamis Mzee
A
lthough the media has
greatly transformed the
society in terms of
accountability and
broader democracy, it is still facing
daunting challenges, a university don
and chairperson of the Think Tank of
the Media Council of Tanzania ,
ProfessorPenninaMlama has said.
Speaking during the annual
The chairperson of the Think Tank on Freedom of expression and Media Issues, Prof.
Penina Mlama makes a presentation before the Professional symposium on media held
on June 24,2014.
a Member of Think Tank – veteran journalist, media trainer and consultant,
ndimara Tegambagwe emphasizes mentorship and specialization.
July - August 2014
News
professional symposium organized by
the Media Council of Tanzania held in
Bagamoyo, Prof. Mlama said we are
now witnessing more space in the
media, more independence and
increased democracy .
However she noted,with all these
developments, there are challenges
because under capitalism embraced
in our society, almost everything is
commercialized.
Leadership,politics, people and
media are commercialized akin
products, Prof. Mlama said in her
presentation during the symposium
whose theme was:Celebrating two
decades of pluralism and diversity of
media in Tanzania.
In this trend, she noted, women
are the most affected casualities of
the commoditization syndrome
which should urgently be checked.
Women are used in sales
promotion for varying products and
in dance groups unlike their male
counterparts, they are portrayed
dressed and dancing indecently, she
said.
Veteran journalist and member of
the TT on Freedom of Expression
and Media Issues,
NdimaraTegambwage decried the
tendency of government applying
obnoxious legislations to suppress
press freedom and even close media
outlets.
Ndimara also a media consultant
and trainer said that journalists are
public servants who are accountable
to the people.
In his opinion the government
does not know journalism but it
knows how to snatch the freedom of
the press.
The banning of media outlets, he
said, inflict severe suffering to the
workers of the affected media
outlet,their families and relatives as
they would go without salaries.
Responding to questions on
professional proficiency, efficacy and
efficiency in the media raised during
the discussion of the various
presentations, Ndimara said there
was a need to promote specialisation
as well as mentorship in media
Continues page 8
7
Media Council of Tanzania Newsletter
News
Media faces
daunting
challenges
oFrom page 7
outlets where upcoming journalists
would be mentored by more
experienced colleagues.
He also said that it was pertinent
for journalists to develop the habit of
wider reading so as to improve their
perceptions and understanding on
issues.
Another veteran journalist and
publisher Jenerali Ulimwengu
expressed concern on the pace of
the growth of the media industry in
the country in relation to trained
practitioners.
He urged media owners and media
outlets to invest in training warning
that it was dangerous for people to
write reports without establishing
the truth. He expressed concern on
religious bigotry and war mongering
gaining currency in our society and
urged media to stay away from such
destructive trends by not highlighting
them.
Dr. Ayub Rioba, a senior lecturer at
the School of Journalism and
MassCommunications (SJMC) of the
University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM)
was of the opinion that there is a
great need for researching on what
type of journalism training is
appropriate as the county has no
known philosophy and ideology.
Previously he said there was a
clear direction in journalism as the
country was promoting Ujamaa or
traditional socialism but now as there
is no clear direction in the society
after liberalisation, we should focus
on the type of training needed and
the type of journalists we want, he
said.
In this score, he advised that media
training institutions should promote
contacts with media stakeholders.
Simon Berege, a senior lecturer at
Tumaini University spoke widely and
passionately on the growing
popularity of on-line journalism or
8
a Member of the Think Tank, veteran journalist, publisherand columnist, Jenerali
Ulimwengu stresses investment in training.
dr. ayub rioba, a senior lecturer at the school of Journalism and Mass Communication
(sJMC) of the University of dar es salaam underscores focussed media.
simon berege, senior lecturer at the Tumaini University harps on improvement of social
media.
social media.
Pointing out that on-line
journalism was on the increase and
more appreciated as it is faster than
most traditional media in releasing
information, Berege also cautioned
on its various challenges.
As most blogs are run by
untrained people and some by
journalists there is an urgent need to
provide assistance in terms of
training to improve them
July - August 2014
MCT is reliable and
commands respect
- ambassador
By MW Reporter
T
he Media Council of
Tanzania (MCT) is a
reliable institution and
commands great respect,
the outgoing Norwegian Ambassador
to Tanzania has said.
Speaking at a farewell reception
organized for her by MCT,
Ambassador Ingunn Klepsvik said the
Council is playing a crucial role in
shaping and transforming the media
in the country.
By training and overseeing
professional ethics, MCT is
promoting qualitative and responsible
media.
She was of the opinion that the
dramatic changes experienced also
come with challenges and expressed
confidence that Tanzania will be the
jewel of Africa in terms of openness.
As for the respect that MCT
commands, Ambassador Klepsvik ,
said she had not heard any criticism
leveled against it during her stay in
the country.
However, she recalled her first
experience with the Council was
bumpy as there were problems in the
relations between the embassy and
the Council.
She caused laughter when she said
she had feared to meet the Executive
Secretary, Kajubi Mukajanga whom
she was made to understand prior to
her first contact with him that he was
a fierce person.
However she said her fears
evaporated after meeting him and
News
officials of the Council and her
embassy to sort out the problems
between the two sides.
She said it was such a wonderful
experience to work with MCT, a
body which is transforming the media
in Tanzania for the better.
Reflecting the warm relations with
the Council, the Ambassador said
she was deeply heartened by the
Council when it was the first
institution in Tanzania to offer
condolences to the Norwegian
people through the Embassy after a
gunman went on rampage killing
many youths in her country.
“Other condolences were
received but MCT was the first”,
Ambassador Klepsvik said.
Ninety one people killed on July
23, 2011 on the Island of Utoya in the
incident when a lone gunman
targeted the youths, members of the
country’s Labour Party who had
camped on the Island for summer
vacation.
Continues page 10
The outgoing nowergian ambassador, Ingunn Klepsvik admires her portrait with the new President of the governing board of the
Media Council of Tanzania, rtd Justice Thomas Mihayo and the executive secretary of the Council, Kajubi Mukajanga.
9
Media Council of Tanzania Newsletter
News
MCT is reliable and commands respect - ambassador
From page 9
She spoke highly of Tanzania,
praising that it was akin to a seminar
in functioning democracy and
development and pledged that she
would be the country’s ambassador
in Norway in addition to the assigned
Tanzania ambassador in her country.
Speaking earlier at the reception
held at the Ledger Plaza Bahari Beach
on the shores of the Indian Ocean in
Dar es Salaam the bustling coastal
commercial city of Tanzania on July
18, 2014, the Executive Secretary of
MCT Mukajanga, was appreciative of
the outgoing envoy.
He said she was a true friend and
was very close to the Council.
When she took over the
leadership of Norwegian mission, she
did not wait for the officials of the
Council and the Embassy to sort out
the problems that existed between
the two sides. “She called me to ask if
I could meet her and if we could
solve the problem of funding the
Council,” Mukajanga said.
He recalled that at the meeting
Ambassador Klepsvik asked them to
talk and since then there is no
problem.
“Our partnership with Norway…
we talk of special partnership”,
Mukajanga said urging the invitees to
the reception, including editors from
mainstream media and media
stakeholders and MCT staff to enjoy
the evening and dance, secure with
the knowledge that Norway is a true
friend.
The departing Ambassador was
also showered accolades by the
President of the Governing Board of
MCT, Justice Thomas Mihayo and a
representative of the Media Owners
Associations of Tanzania (MOAT) and
the Tanzania Editors Forum (TEF)
Bakari Machumu who is the
Executive Editor of Mwananchi
Communications.
“ We at MCT hold you very highly
because during your tenure of office ,
you were accessible, willing to help,
supportive and you knew well what
the Council was doing and what it
stands for”, Justice Mihayo told Ms
Klepsvik.
He said “the support of Norway to
MCT has greatly enhanced the
development and even more
greatly enhanced the quality of media
in Tanzania “ adding, “we are mostly
grateful.”
The media representative,
Machumu recalled a very important
engagement organised by the
departing Ambassador for editors – a
special workshop on the extractive
industry gas and oil to shape the way
forward in media coverage after
abundant deposits of gas were
discovered in the country.
Towards the end of the farewell
reception, the Ambassador was
presented with a special wooden
flower verse, an African dress which
she was assisted to wear by the MCT
Manager for Human Resources, Ziada
Kilobo and Regulation and Standards
Manager, Pili Mtambalike.
She was also presented with her
own portrait drawn by an artist.
At the reception she was
accompanied by Sven Olan Svoldal ,
country economist at the Norwegian
Embassy.
Norway together with Sweden and
Switzerland fund the Council’s four
year strategic programme ending in
2015
The outgoing norwegian ambassador, Ingunn Klepsvik poses in group photo with the staff, leadership of the Media Council of Tanzania
and invited guests including editors from mainstream media at a party organized by the Council to bid her farewell.
10
July - August 2014
Opinion
deputy Minister for Information, Youth, Culture and sports, Juma nkamia.
Juma nkamia
makes a u-turn
By MW Reporter
D
eputy Minister for
Information,Youth,
Culture and Sports,
Juma Nkamia, who is on
record for uttering disapproving
words against the Media Council of
Tanzania (MCT) and the Tanzania
Editors Forum(TEF) appears to be
retreating. During a heated debate
when members of Parliament
steadfastly opposed the government’s
procrastination in tabling new media
legislation during the 2014/15 Budget
session a year later after his infamous
opinion against MCT and TEF, Nkamia
made a complete u-turn praising the
contribution of the two organs to the
development of media sector in
Tanzania.
He had dismissed the two as
“NGOs established to serve
individual interests”. He also claimed
that they had given themselves
responsibilities to oversee media
operations in the country.
“I recognise the good work done
by MCT and TEF”, Nkamia told
Parliament, the two institutions he
had casted aspersions as mere NGOs
and cautioned the government
against passing the legislation on the
Right to Information touted by the
Council, before his appointment as
deputy minister.
Nkamia who had earlier led a
delegation of Members of Parliament
and House of Representatives on
study tour of India organized by MCT
from September23 to 28, 2012 to
learn on the implementation of the
Right to Information legislation in
that country, had cautioned the
government not to rush into enacting
it as it had myriad problems.
His position in Parliament on May
20,2013 then dismayed media
stakeholders who were surprised as
Nkamia, then as Deputy chairperson
of the Parliamentary Standing
Committee onCommunity
Development and as leader of
delegation had praised the Indian
model on his return.
He had said that the legislation
made the Indian government
transparent, more responsive and
accountable.
During the debate on the budget
estimates for 2014/15 session of the
National Assembly, Shadow Minister
for information,Youth, Culture and
Sports, Joseph Mbilinyi, stood his
ground in demanding the new media
legislation. MPs Esther Bulaya, Felix
Mkosamali and Daniel Ole Sendeka
stood firm and supported the move
to have the new legislation.
The born-again Nkamia appeared
apologetic to the stance by the MPs
pointing out that the government had
good intention and willing to table
the legislation with the goal to
improve the welfare of media
workers in the country.
While Nkamia was
vacillating,observers cautioned on the
motives of some MPs supporting the
new media legislation.
They warned that some MPs may
be harbouring intentions to have
obnoxious and more punitive
legislation that would limit media
space and freedom.
Media Stakeholders had submitted
to the government proposals for two
media legislations – The Right to
Information in 2007 and Media
Services in 2008.
Various ministers handling the
information docket were promising
each year that the government will
table the information bill but to no
avail, At one point the government
had indicated it would combine the
two and table one bill but after
attracting opposition from media
stakeholders, it changed stance.
However, the Ministry of
Information preferred bill to control
the media – that is the Media
Services Bill while the Right to
Information bill would be taken on
later.
Lately after President Jakaya
Kikwete pledged at a meeting of
Open Govenment Partnership (OGP)
held in London in the UK towards
last year that the government would
table freedom to information bill by
April 2014, there has been a flurry of
activities involving many players
towards that end.
As for Nkamia it is important for
“doubters” and sober minded
people to keep their fingers crossed
before he changes his mind once
more
11
Media Council of Tanzania Newsletter
Photos
national general Conve
The Manager of the
Zanzibar office of the
Media Council of Tanzania
(MCT), suleiman seif
omar speaks during the
national general
Convention (ngC) held at
Kimalang’ombe in
bagamoyo.
delegate salim ali
salim from the
Muslim University
Morogoro speaks
during the national
general Convention
The secretary of the
njombe Press Club,
Hamis Kasepa ,
makes a contribution
during the national
general Convetion.
12
ention 2014 in pictures
July - August 2014
Photos
delegates
follow closely
the proceedings
during the
national
general
Convention held
in bagamoyo.
The executive
secretary of the
Media Council of
Tanzania (MCT),
Kajubi
Mukajanga,
exchanges views
with the
executive
director of the
Union of
Tanzania Press
Club (UTPC),
abubakar Karsan
during the
national general
Convetion.
a delegate from
the Veteran
electronics Media
association,
gervas Moshiro,
makes a point
during the
national general
Convention.
delegates to the
national general
Convention (ngC) cast
votes to elect
members of the
governing board of
the Media Council of
Tanzania.
13
Media Council of Tanzania Newsletter
News
raid at
Majira
newsroom
scare
reporters
By MW Reporter
I
t has been reliably learnt that
reporters of Majira
newspapers are scared of
doing investigative stories after
unknown people invaded its
newsroom and made away with
computers.
The invaders broke into the
newsroom, the office of the managing
editor and photo section on April 31,
2014 and took computers with key,
crucial and sensitive editorial
information. In addition the invaders
also broke the draws of the editor’s
desk and took away documents.
The Media Council of Tanzania
(MCT) has recorded the incident on
its Press Freedom Violations Register
on June 10, 2014.
14
Majira Managing editor, Imma Mbughuni
Highly placed sources within the
newspaper connect the invasion to
its serialised publication
ofinvestigation on drug peddling and
the captivity of some Tanzanian
youths engaged in the drug trade in
private homes in Pakistan.
Some of the youths kept in
captivity as bonds in the illegal1 but
lucrative trade were released and
Majira had managed to interview
one of the captives who was secretly
returned to Tanzania.
The newspaper had been running
series of investigative stories on drug
peddling and was closing in on drug
barons. Majira’s Editor, Imma
Mbughuni confirmed that his
newsroom was raided at the night of
April 31, 2014 and had reported the
matter to the Police who have
investigated the issue but to-date
nothing has come of it.
Majira did not report the incident
publicly after it reported the incident
to the police who cautioned the
paper to tread carefully on its
operations.
Mbughuni shared the information
on the incident with other media, a
month later in June. This is a second
known incident of a newsroom been
raided and recorded in the Press
Freedom Register of the Media
Council of Tanzania.
In March 2013 the Council had
received a complaint from the then
Editor of Mwananchi newspaper,
Dennis Msacky that he had been
trailed by unknown people and that
his office was burgled and his
computer taken away
July - August 2014
News
emotions erupt before
ethics Committee
The editor of Tanzania daima newspaper, edison Kamukara testifies before the ethics Committee of the Media Council of Tanzania . Left
is Commissioner for Minerals in the Ministry of energy and Minerals, eng. Paul Masanja.
By MW Reporter
W
hen editor Edison
Kamukara of
Tanzania Daima
faced a team of
senior officials from the Ministry of
Energy and Minerals before the
Ethics Committee of the Media
Council of Tanzania (MCT), on June
16, 2014 the initial mood was quite
deceptive.
It had appeared that the Ministry’s
three-member team led by
Commissioner for Minerals,Paul
Masanja and comprising Dr. Medard
Kalemana the ministry’s advocate
and Badra Masoud, head of
Communications and editor
Kamukara, would settle for a
mutually agreed ruling by the
Committee ending with the
customary handshake, friendly
chatter and group photograph of the
parties after mediation.
After all the parties presented
their initial remarks in the dispute
which the Ministry was accusing
Tanzania Daima of malicious
reporting the mood changed
abruptly as emotions jumped high.
The Minerals commissioner got
emotional and had to be restrained
to calm after uttering disapproving
words against Kamukara.
He was reminded by Ethics
Committee member, Kenneth
Simbaya that the committee was
conducting itself in the spirit of
promoting mutual respect and
Continues page 16
15
Media Council of Tanzania Newsletter
News
From page 15
understanding.
Committee Deputy Chairperson,
Rose Haji Mwalimu, who was
presiding over the hearing on behalf
of Committee chairperson retired
Justice Thomas Mihayo, concurred
with the view raised by Simbaya.
The ministry was disputing articles
published by Tanzania Daima which it
claimed were published with the
intent to tarnish its reputation.
On May 16,2014 Tanzania Daima
published a story headlined: “Kashfa
mpya nishati na madini” (new scandal
at the energy and minerals) and on
May 24 the paper ran another story
on Escrow Account headlined :
“Vigogo watosana ufisadi wa Escrow”.
The ministry demanded aTZS 2
billion compensation claiming the
paper’s articles disrupted a national
campaign to raise awareness on the
emerging extractive industry in the
country.
The paper claimed in the first
article that foreign companies had
sponsored a symposium organized by
the ministry to enlighten religious
leaders on the extractive industry and
alleged that some participants were
given money to support the view
maintained by the ministry that local
entrepreneurs do not have the
financial capacity to invest in the
industry.
On May 19, the Permanent
Secretary in the Ministry of Energy
and Minerals wrote to the newspaper
on the article saying that it had no
grain of truth as the symposium was
solely sponsored by the ministry.
In the letter, the ministry was
categorical that it was not serving the
interest of anyone and denied that
some participants to the symposium
were paid to trumpet the concept
that local investors do not have the
wherewithal to engage in gas mining.
It asked the paper to name the
company which it claimed to allegedly
sponsor the symposium and refute
the report. The newspaper did
neither.
On May 27, the Secretariat of
(MCT) wrote a letter to the Editor of
Tanzania Daima requesting him to
16
emotions erupt
before ethics
Committee
deal with the complaints raised by the
ministry but the paper did not
apologise to the complainant.
In addition the ministry also
disputes another article by the paper
on the embezzlement of funds in the
Escrow Account in the Bank of
Tanzania. In the article the paper
claimed that officials in the ministry
were frantically trying to distance
themselves from the embezzlement
scam amounting to USD 122 million
by sending sms messages to some
members of parliament.
The paper claimed that the
officials were trying to implicate the
Member of Parliament for Musoma
Rural, Nimrod Mkono and UK’s High
Commissioner in the country
accusing them for allegedly bribing
MPs in order to block the
2014/15budget estimates of the
Ministry.
During the hearing the Committee
totally dismissed explanations given in
defense by the paper’s editor Edison
Kamukara.
His argument that the story was
done in good faith for the public
interest could not stand the scrutiny
of the Committee.
The Committee in its ruling
observed that the articles had serious
professional discrepancies and were
purely based on rumour and not facts.
It ruled in the ministry’s favour in the
complaint in which Tanzania Daima
newspaper was accused of running
disparaging articles based on rumours
which the ministry had categorically
denied and claimed were malicious.
Tanzania Daima was ordered to
run an apology and carry interviews
with ministry officials to clear the
polluted air.
However the Committee could
not entertain a punitive measure of
paying TZS 2 billion compensation as
requested by the ministry.
Committee chairperson, Rose Haji
said it does not have the mandate to
impose punitive penalties as it
operated on the spirit of mediation
vested in the Court of Honour.
After having given time to consult
their superiors, the ministry officials
came back into the boardroom to
report that they would seek further
avenues for legal redress.
While granting the request, the
Secretary of the Committee who is
also the Executive Secretary of the
Council, Kajubi Mukajanga, said the
Ethics Committee was an
independent body that does not take
instructions from outside.
However, he cautioned that the
ruling reached by the Committee
cannot be used in court as evidence
but if the court is interested it can
invite the Committee as a friend of
the court.
In another development, the
Committee also agreed to a request
by the conflicting parties – Mawio
newspaper and the MPs - Vita
Kawawa, Mariam Kasembe, Faith
Mitambo and Mtututra A. Mtutura to
allow them to settle their dispute
outside the Committee.
Advocates from the two sides
briefed the Committee that they had
started a dialogue with the aim of
reaching an amicable settlement and
that was smooth and promising
progress.
According to one of the advocates
Valentino Daudi of KMVB Law
Chambers representing the MPs the
two parties had a meeting on Sunday
June 15, 2014 and had reached an
agreement to hold another meeting
in Dodoma on June 22, 2014 where
the Managing Director and proprietor
of Mawio, Saed Kubeneya would meet
with the Members of Parliament to
iron out the sticking issue of
compensation demanded by the
offended MPs.
The Committee was informed by
the advocate of the Mawio’s readiness
to pay compensation but it was
seeking a reduction of the amount
demanded. The MPs are demanding a
TZS 5 million each for the damage
inflicted on them following a report
by the newspaper which associated
them with a network of poachers.
Mawio newspaper was represented
by advocate John Mallya from Power
Advocates
July - August 2014
News
The executive
secretary of the
Media Council of
Tanzania (MCT),
Kajubi
Mukajanga
addresses
Zimbabwean
journalists at a
conference held
in Kadona,
Zimbabwe. He
was the guest
speaker at the
Media Policy and
regulation
Conference
organised by the
Voluntary Media
Council of
Zimbabwe
(VMCZ).
Mukajanga emphasises editorial
credibility and accountability
By MW Reporter
T
he Executive Secretary of
the Media |Council of
Tanzania (MCT), Kajubi
Mukajanga, has
underscored the importance and
relevance of credibility and
accountability in the media.
“We as media people are as good
as we are credible and accountable”,
Mukajanga told Zimbabwean
journalists at a conference organized
by the Voluntary Media Council of
Zimbabwe held in Kadoma, 147.6 km
from the capital, Harare.
He emphasized in his presentation
entitled Mapping Media Accountability
in Africa and Beyond: Lessons from
Zimbabwe, that media accountability
should be closely linked to the power
it wields – to create and shape on
one side and shame and destroy on
the other.
“While the legitimacy of the
executive, legislature and judiciary is
through the ballot box and the
country’s constitution that of the
media is in the public it purports to
serve”, he said.
On regulation of the media,
Mukajanga who is also the President
of the World Associations of Press
Councils (WAPC) said it should
serve to make sure that media
delivers ethically and responsibly.
He cited the various modes of
regulations as statutory regulation,
co-regulation, independent regulation
and self regulation.
He said the most favoured model
of regulation in Africa, is statutory
regulation in which the regulatory
body is set up by a statute and is
controlled by the government. This
mode is also effected through myriad
of laws whose provisions submit
media to state control.
A statute would also require
compulsory registration, Mukajanga
noted pointing out that it always
comes with the possibility of
deregistration of a journalist or an
entire media outlet.
He explained co-regulation as a
combination of government and
media industry regulation while
independent regulation implies
independence from both media and
government.
As for self regulation which is
exercised by MCT, Mukajanga
described it as a peer review system
operating within a set of self imposed
Continues page 18
17
Media Council of Tanzania Newsletter
News
From page 17
rules by the media.
Despite some positive trends in
the statutory regulation as evidenced
by the statutory regulatory India
which is quite independent,
Mukajanga said that Tanzanian media
practitioners are skeptical of the
system.
He said the reason is simple –
Many institutions which exist by law
“independent and impartial” do not
necessarily exhibit independence and
impartiality in practice. They are
evidently seen to be manipulated by
the government, ruling party, or even
powerful individuals and commercial
interests.
But another fact is that once in
existence due to law, the powers that
be can change that law anytime to
suit their interests.
He cited the Kenyan experiencethat despite constitutional provision
(Article 34), Parliament in December
2013 passed a contentious anti press
legislation, the Kenya Information and
Communication (Amendments) Act
and the Media Council Act which
Mukajanga
emphasises
credibility and
accountability
critics say seek to effectively silence
critical reporting through a new
government controlled regulator and
the threat of hefty fines.
He said the Kenyan case is
interesting as the country’s Media
Council had initially operated as selfregulatory body and later became
statutory and styled as co-regulation
but now the powers have amended
the statute and weakened the body.
As for lessons for Zimbabwe,
Mukajanga who in his presentation
gave a wide narration of the
experiences of MCT and its
governance and leadership structure
involving people of impeccable
stature in society, said for self
regulation to be credible and
effective, the self regulator has to be
seen to be fair and firm and media
outlets have to submit to such
voluntary mechanism.
The executive secretary of the Media Council of Tanzania, (MCT), Kajubi Mukajanga
(centre) is received by the Zimbabwe Minister for Information Prof. Jonathan Moyo (left)
when he paid a courtesy call on the minister. right is board Chair of Voluntary Media
Council of Zimbabwe (VMCZ), alec Muchadehama.
18
Citing the MCT experience,
Mukajanga said the first chairperson
of the Ethics Committee was Justice
Joseph Warioba, Former Prime
Minister and Vice President of
Tanzania who is a highly respected
leader while the Council’s President
was Prof. Geoffrey Mmari a highly
respected academic who was Vice
Chancellor of the University of Dar
es Salaam in late 80s and early 90s.
The second President was Prof
Issa Shivji while ethics committee was
presided over by a highly respected
jurist the first Tanzanian Attorney
General Mark Bomani and current
president is Court of Appeal judge
Dr. Robert Kisanga while the Ethics
Committee is chaired by Justice
Thomas Mihayo.
Another lesson for Zimbabwe,
Mukajanga said is that the regulator
has to be relevant.
This can be done by ensuring that
real life professional and ethical issues
are tackled pro-actively and in a
transparent manner.
Mukajanga was empathic on the
question of regulation which he told
the Zimbabwean audience that “we
cannot argue against government
regulation, and at the same time
refuse to respect self-regulation.
“Are we mature enough to self
reghulate? Are we ready? If not. Are
we ready to try and work towards
becoming better professionals,
towards maturity, towards self
regulation?” Mukajanga challenged.
He said the Tanzanian experience
has shown that if journalists and
editors agree to make self regulation
work, then government will be forced
to accept the fact.
With the new constitution, he said,
Zimbabwe can install a working self
regulatory system that works in its
environment.
Mukajanga said journalists and
media houses need to give VMCZ all
the support it needs and protect it
advising them it is their duty to make
it strong if they think it is weak”.
While in the country, Mukajanga
paid a courtesy call on the Minister
for Information Prof. Jonathan Moyo
with who he exchanged views on
media issues
Zimbabwe
journalists win
landmark case
By MW Reporter
I
n a landmark judgment
upholding the right to freedom
of expression, the Supreme
Court of Zimbabwe has struck
down the legal provision under which
tortured journalists Mark
Chavunduka and Ray Choto were
charged last year. If the prosecution
had been successful, the journalists
could have received prison sentences
of up to seven years.
Rather than responding to the
charges, Chavunduka and Choto
challenged their validity with a direct
appeal to the Supreme Court.
ARTICLE 19's lawyers worked closely
with the applicants' legal team to
develop a submission to the Court
reflecting the best international and
comparative standards in this area.
The provision prohibits the
publication of any false statement
that is likely to cause fear, alarm or
despondency among the public.
In its ruling on June 5, 2014, The
Court quoted from ARTICLE 19's
brief: "Were this provision to be
actively applied, it would exert a
significant chilling effect on freedom
of expression", holding that this
represented "a fair and realistic
summation of the harsh impact" of
the provision.
Reacting to the judgment,
Andrew Puddephatt, Executive
Director of ARTICLE 19 said: "We
are delighted that the Zimbabwean
Supreme Court, in a powerful and
unanimous decision, has struck out
the provision which might have led to
the imprisonment of Ray Choto and
Mark Chavunduka.
"This is a very significant victory
for freedom of expression and sends
a clear signal that "false news"
measures are unacceptable. ARTICLE
19 hopes to build on this, using the
judgment to assist in our efforts to
do away with the false news
provisions that still exist and are
actively applied in many countries,"
he added.
Journalist Mark Chavunduka
Journalist ray Choto
Canadian Journalists for Free
Expression (CJFE), which honoured
Chavunduka and Choto with its 1999
International Press Freedom Award
last fall, adds that "CJFE believes that
the Supreme Court decision,
overturning the 1960 Law and Order
Maintenance Act, is a great victory
for all citizens of Zimbabwe. By not
only surviving their imprisonment
and torture, but also fighting their
case to the Supreme Court,
Chavunduka and Choto have
contributed to the greater freedom
of their fellow citizens."
Background:
On 10 January 1999, The Standard
newspaper published a story alleging
that there had been an unsuccessful
coup attempt in the Zimbabwean
army. Two days later, Chavunduka, the
editor of The Standard, was arrested
and held for over a week. Choto, the
author of the article, voluntarily
surrendered himself to the police.
Both were severely tortured and
spent time in the UK receiving
treatment.
They were charged under section
50(2)(a) of the Law and Order
(Maintenance) Act with publishing
false statements likely to cause fear,
July - August 2014
News
alarm or despondency among the
public or any section thereof.
The Court held that false
statements were protected by the
constitutional guarantee of freedom
of expression, and that the provision
breached that guarantee in that it
was excessively vague, did not serve a
legislative objective of sufficient
importance to warrant overriding a
constitutionally protected right and
was excessively broad.
Pius Njawé, the Cameroon
journalist, was imprisoned for nearly
10 months in 1998, after being
convicted of publishing false news for
alleging that the President of
Cameroon was ill.
ARTICLE 19 considers all false
news provisions to breach
international guarantees of freedom
of expression and calls on those
States which still have such laws to
repeal them.
In another development, on the
night of June 19, 2014, police in
Zimbabwe arrested the editor of a
state-owned newspaper who was
appointed two months earlier.
Sunday Mail editor, Edmund
Kudzayi was detained after
computers were seized from his
office. A police spokeswoman told
the state-owned Herald paper that
he was being held over articles he
had written.
Earlier in June, 2014 President
Robert Mugabe accused his
information minister Prof. Jonathan
Moyo of using state-owned media to
sow divisions in the ruling Zanu-PF
party. Correspondents say there is
tension in the party over who should
succeed 90-year-old Mr Mugabe, who
was re-elected president last year.
Mr Kudzayi was among several
newspaper editors recently
appointed by Information Minister
Jonathan Moyo whom the president
had referred as the "devil incarnate"
for firing editors at state-owned
newspapers who were loyal to ZanuPF.
Prof. Moyo has fallen in and out of
favour with Mr Mugabe and was reappointed as his information minister
last September
19
Media Council of Tanzania Newsletter
News
editors, MCT take common
position on key issues
The executive secretary of the Media Council of Tanzania, Kajubi Mukajanga (left) speaks during the third consultative summit of
editors and the Council held in Machame.
By MW Reporter
L
ots of sentiments - both
positive and negative,even
worries on journalism
professional trends in the
country featured prominently during
the 3rd consultative summit between
the Media Council of Tanzania (MCT)
and Editors from various media
outlets across the country.
Some of the presentations like
Journalists under siege- Press
Freedom Violation Report 2013,
Challenges to editorial
independence, and Media in the eyes
of the government, generated
concerns during the summit held at
Aishi Protea Hotel in Machame on
the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro from
May 29 to 30. The Regulations and
Standards Manager of MCT, Pili
Mtambalike cautioned on increased
20
press freedom violations and
emphasized the need of reporting
the violations ranging from denial of
information, obstruction to access
news or sources, threats against
journalists and even physical attacks
so that they could be recorded in the
Press Freedom Violations Registry
established by MCT.
Bakari Machumu, the Executive
Editor of Mwananchi
Communications Limited publishers
of the the Citizen and Mwananchi
newspapers, spoke widely on the
Challenges to Editorial
Independence emphasizing on the
need of media to tread carefully,
conduct themselves professionally
and adhere to journalistic code of
ethics.
The Chairperson of the Tanzania
Editors Forum (TEF) Absalom
Kibanda sounded more worrying in
his presentation entitled: Media in
the Eyes of the Government. He said,
to the government the media was
more of ‘troublemakers’ and are held
suspiciously.
It is unclear what triggers this
suspicion, he said, as the media is
driven by the spirit of genuinely
serving the interests of the public.
Other papers were Newsroom
editorial challenges ahead of the 2015
Elections, was presented by Deodatus
Balile, the Managing Editor of Jamhuri
newspaper; Reflections on
professional readiness for Civic and
General Elections, presented by
Neville Meena the TEF Secretary and
editor at Mwananchi
Communications and Jesse Kwayu,
the Managing Editior of Nipashe
presented a paper on cheque book
journalism and challenges to editorial
independence in election reporting.
July - August 2014
John Mireny the Publications,
Research and Documentation
Manager of MCT presented two
papers - State of the Media Report
2013: an overview and trends in 2013;
News Media Agenda for 2015
elections while Mtambalike also
presented a second paper entitled
Strengthening Articles 30 and 31 in
the Draft Constitutional Proposals.
Theophil Makunga of Mwananchi
Communicatins and member of the
TEF board, spoke on Taking the
litigation option to achieve freedom
of expression and the press.
At the end, the editors and MCT
came up with a common position,
resolving to jointly petition against
legislations which stifle and impede
freedom of expression and freedom
of the press..
The resolutions were read by the
Regulation and Standards Manager of
MCT, Pili Mtambalike, who explained
later that the anti press legislations
include the 1976 newspaper Act,
Broadcasting Act, sections of the
penal code, official secrets and
national security acts.
The meeting also resolved that the
media fraternity – MCT and TEF
should come with a joint statement
regarding confusing situation
surrounding the Constituent
Assembly on handling the on-going
process of getting the new national
constitution.
The editors were in agreement
that the statement should appeal to
both sides of the political divide in
the constitutional reform process to
bury their differences and facilitate
realisation of the new constitution.
On election coverage, the meeting
resolved that media outlets should
stop relying on politicians and set
their own budgets.
They appealed to MCT, TEF, the
Union of Tanzania Press Clubs
(UTPC) and the Tanzania Media Fund
(TMF) to initiate means to support
the media in covering the elections.
Besides all media institutions should
coordinate election training
programmes to avoid duplicating
training especially in the regions.
The editors were also in
agreement on the need to improve
coverage and adherence to the
professional code of ethics all the
News
time. The consultative summit, the
3rd since 2012 was officially opened
by Dr. Charles Mlingwa, the District
Commissioner for Siha on behalf of
the Kilimanjaro Regional
Commissioner, Leonidas Gama.
Dr. Mlingwa praised the media for
its contribution to national
development in his opening
statement while the summit host, the
Executive Secretary of MCT, Kajubi
Mukajanga said that the summit was a
useful platform for the media and
the Council in general and even
more so this time as the Council is
planning its next four year (2016 2019) programme stragegy in 2015.
Generally what transpired during
the two day summit augured well
with its theme – Reflect, Share,
Strategize: Strengthening Media
Ethics and Professionalism in
Newsrooms.
The first consultative meeting was
held in Morogoro in 2012 and the
second was held in Tanga in 2013
editors and some staff of the Media Council of Tanzania captured at the ndoro waterfalls at Marangu on the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro
while on sight seeing expedition after the consultative summit held at Machame.
21
Media Council of Tanzania Newsletter
News
new attempt to establish
trade union for journalists
Media practitioners engaged in setting up a new trade union pose in group photo with the deputy secretary general of Tanzania Union
of Trade Unions (TUCTa),Hezron Kaaya(second lefts eated ) and senior programmes officer of Interantional Federation of Journalists
regional (IFJ) office for africa based in dakar senegal, Pa Louis Thomasi ( second right seated )pose in a group photograph.
By MW Reporter
A
fter the de-registration
of the Tanzania Union of
Journalists, new efforts
have been initiated to set
up another trade union.
On June 5 and 6, 2014
journalists from a number of regions
met in Dar es Salaam to deliberate
on the way forward in establishing
the union.
At the end of the two days, the
group came up with a new name –
Journalists Union of Tanzania (JUT)
and picked a five-member team to
work on its constitution before a
bigger meeting of journalists from all
across the country is convened.
22
A Senior Programmes officer with
the African Region Office of the
International Federation of Journalists
(IFJ) based in Dakar, Senegal, Pa Louis
Thomasi, was on hand and pledged
the federation’s full support to
Tanzania journalists to realize the
goal of having a well grounded and
strong trade union.
He said it was utterly important
for media practitioners in the
country to realise their rights and
interests and have them defended
and protected.
In his remarks before the meeting,
he cautioned that media owners
were driven by super profits and
were ready to use any pretexts to
protect their earnings adding that in
this case journalists and media
workers in general need to be
organized to protect their
benefits.
He cited numerous examples
where employers hoodwink
employees to maximize on profits.
“Workers should carefully read
contracts before signing them as
there may be clauses which are not
favourable to them”, he warned.
The Deputy Secretary General of
the Tanzania Congress of Trade Union
of Tanzania (TUCTA), Hezron Kaaya
was equally supportive of the move
by the journalists to set up the new
trade union.
He expressed dismay why in the
first place, the federation had allowed
July - August 2014
News
its member – TUJ- not to be effective
and active after failing to operate
and recruit members, providing a
recipe for its deregistration.
He said journalists inTanzania are
facing many problems including
working without contracts and not
appropriately remunerated.
The federation even provided a
legal expert, Edwin Mwakyembe to
assist in the new efforts.
Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, (FES)
threw its weight in support of
journalists getting organized under a
trade union. Its country Director,
Rolf Paasch, pledged that FES will
provide assistance to facilitate the
realisation of the goal of setting up
the new trade union for
journalists.
“I know it is not easy, but through
union and solidarity things will
change,” said Paasch.
The five-member team set up to
steer the process of establishing the
trade union comprises two pioneers
- interim leader Samsom Kamalamo
and Secretary Timothy Kitundu who
prepared the JUT constitution and
others are the Vice President of the
Union of Tanzania Press Club (UTPC),
Jane Mihanji, Editor with the Media
Council of Tanzania (MCT), Hamis
Mzee and a journalist with New
Habari 2000 - Arodia Peter.
Already efforts have been taken
by some members of the team to
inform other journalists on the new
trade union .
Delegates to the annual General
National Convention of the Media
Council of Tanzania held in Bagamoyo
on June 25, 2014 and editors
meeting under the umbrella of the
Tanzania Forum (TEF) meeting in
Mtwara on July 11 and 12, 2014 were
told by some of the members of the
team of the initiatives on the new
trade union .
In all these instances, the editors
and journalists were asked to fully
support the establishment of JUT.
For the Media Council of Tanzania
the initiative to set up JUT have
come at the right time to ward off
mounting pressure from journalists
seeking assistance from it on such
matters like pay disputes or lack of
working without contracts which are
purely trade union matters.
During the MCT meeting at
Bagamoyo, the Council’s Executive
Secretary, Kajubi Mukajanga,
passionately advised journalists to
respond positively and actively to
the efforts of establishing JUT
MCT publishes book
requested by
Zanzibar President
From page 24
“This is a great effort”,Vice
President Seif said as he unveiled the
ocean blue covered 230 page history
book blended with golden colours.
He praised the Media Council of
Tanzania for making the request
made by the Zanzibar President Dr.
Shein come true.
Dr. Shein had made his request
to MCT delegation headed by its
Executive Secretary Kajubi Mukajanga
on March 13, 2012 when the team
paid a courtesy call on him at the
State House in Zanzibar.
He had advised that it would be
quite important if the media history
on the Isles is properly recorded in
the form of a book.
Speaking during the launching
ceremony,which was attended by a
huge number of journalists and media
stakeholders, Mukajanga confirmed
that they had taken the request
seriously and with great zeal
culminating into the publication of
the book.
On his part Vice President Idd said
it was a must read book to be used
by journalists training schools.
He also challenged the media
fraternity to come up with another
book on media veterans and
stalwarts who may serve as role
models to practicing and upcoming
journalists in the country.
The book records means of
communication from prehistoric era
to the establishment of
contemporary media.
In its introductory pages, it points
out that the establishment of the
Eastern Telegraph Company in
Zanzibar in 1879 was among the first
set-up of communications in Africa
South of Sahara.
It says that the first widely read
newspaper was the Zanzibar Gazette
founded in 1892 which was preceded
by a religious publication Simuluzi.
“The growth and significance of
mass media outlets in Zanzibar
became more noticeable from as
early as 1902 when Samachar
(meaning the news) and the Zanzibar
Voice – two commercial newspapers ,
were established to promote
Zanzibar globally.
The Publications, Research and
Documentation Manager of MCT,
John Mireny, narrated the entire
process culminating to the
publication of the book, the first
serious attempt to record the
comprehensive history of media
development on the Isles.
The launching ceremony was
accompanied with entertainment
from traditional ngoma and taarab
groups, puppet show and
poetry
23
Media Council of Tanzania Newsletter
News
The Zanzibar second Vice President ambassador, seif Idd displays the book on Zanzibar Media History during its launch in Zanzibar.He
is flanked left by the Zanzibar Urban west regional Commissiner, abdallah Mwinyi and right by executive secretary of the Media
Council of Tanzania, Kajubi Mukajanga and far right by the Zanzibar Information services diorector, rafii Haji Makame.
MCT publishes book requested
by Zanzibar President
By MW Reporter
A
t last a request by the
Zanzibar President Dr.
Ali Mohamed Shein to
the Media Council of
Tanzania (MCT) to publish a book
on the history of the media in
Zanzibar has been accomplished.
The book titled: A history of
Zanzibar Media Traditions and
Transitions written by three Zanzibaris
- veteran journalist Mariam Hamdani,
journalist and consultant Ali Rashid
and a Lawyer Fatma Amour was
launched by the Zanzibar Second Vice
President Ambassador Iddi Seif at a
colourful ceremony held at the
Zanzibar Beach Resort.
Continues page 23
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Tel.: 022-2775728, 022-2771947 Cell: 0784 314880 Fax: 022 2700370
E-mail: [email protected] www.mct.or.tz
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