3,357 Tanzanian journalists certified through the TAI Habari system

DODOMA: THE Tanzanian government has begun to reap the benefits of digital transformation in the media sector after 3,357 journalists were certified and certified in less than a year through the modern TAI HABARI system.

The achievement is a major step in strengthening the professionalism, accountability and management of the journalism profession in the country, as for the first time the sector has begun to have an official, digital system that enables the processing of applications and verification of journalists who meet the criteria in accordance with the Media Services Act.

Presenting the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure of the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports for the financial year 2026/2027 in parliament in Dodoma, the Minister of the ministry, Paul Christian Makonda, said that from July 2025 to April 2026, the Journalists Accreditation Board (JAB) has received and processed a total of 4,139 applications for registration through the TAI HABARI system.

Of these applications, 3,357 journalists who met the criteria specified in accordance with the Information Services Act, Chapter 229, have been accredited.

In another step, Minister Makonda said that JAB has processed 14 complaints of violations of professional ethics in the media, which shows the beginning of the strengthening of the accountability system in the sector.

In addition, Makonda said the Government through JAB has prepared a special legal guideline that will enable veteran journalists affected by the certification system to return to the official system, based on the provisions of the Information Services Act, Chapter 229 which was enacted to promote the journalism profession.

He said that the law was enacted to promote the journalism profession by establishing an institutional system that will oversee the news sector.

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“This guideline establishes a legal mechanism to identify and certify their competence through a special assessment of experience, professionalism, and professional ethics, and enable them to obtain certification in accordance with the law.” said Makonda

This measure aims to protect the journalism profession by ensuring that even experienced journalists have the opportunity to enter the official system that is legally recognized.