AG office urges media stick to ethics ahead to the General Elections
DODOMA: THE Office of the Attorney General (AG) has called on Tanzanian media outlets to adhere to professionalism, ethics, and journalistic standards to ensure the public accesses accurate and reliable information.
Deputy Attorney General, Mr Samwel Maneno, made the call on Thursday in Dodoma during a working session with editors of media outlets from across the country.
Mr Maneno stressed that sensationalist reporting must be eliminated as it undermines the principles of journalism that foster national unity, human rights, democracy, and the protection of natural and cultural resources.
“Some media outlets report contrary to facts. Most of their reports are often one-sided, spreading rumours and creating fear among citizens,” he said.
The Deputy AG reminded journalists that the AG’s office recognises the vital role of the media in educating the public and ensuring that citizens understand their legal rights and how to access them through official government channels.
“Together, we can build a society that knows its rights and actively participates in national development,” he emphasised.
He underlined the need for journalists to obtain information from authorised government sources and verify it through direct consultations before publication.
“Anything published must comply with the laws of the country. This is what separates professional journalists from those reporting without verified facts,” he added.
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Mr Maneno further pledged that the Editors’ Forum will continue offering regular training on laws and procedures to ensure reporting remains accurate and compliant. He also urged media houses to develop their journalists professionally so they can report effectively on political, judicial, economic, and social issues.
Highlighting the link between media and national development, he cited the National Development Vision 2050, launched by President Samia Suluhu Hassan in July this year, as a guiding framework for citizens and stakeholders to understand legal reforms and their role in realising the long-term national blueprint.
“President Samia specifically directed the media to help create a shared understanding among citizens about legal reforms and how they support Vision 2050,” he said.
Acting Director of the Information Department (Maelezo), Mr Rodney Thadeus, echoed the call, urging editors to maintain professional standards, particularly as the country approaches the 2025 General Election.
He cautioned that inaccurate reporting could create confusion and threaten national cohesion.
“As editors, we have the power to ensure our country remains safe—from the campaign period to post-election—and to advance development without compromising peace,” he said.
The two-day working session, organised by the Office of the Attorney General in collaboration with the Office of the Chief Parliamentary Draftsman, brought together editors to deepen their understanding of the AG’s mandate and strengthen cooperation in delivering accurate and reliable information to Tanzanians.
