Breath of fresh air for TBC as new Act enacted

DODOMA: THE Parliament yesterday passed the Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation Bill, 2024 that now gives the Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC) a wider mandate to perform its functions.

The passed bill has been formulated to govern the broadcasting corporation, as there has been no specific legislation to manage the organisation since its establishment in 2007.

The Corporation was established in 2007 under the Order of President through the Government Notice No. 186 of 2007.

The draft law for the Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation in 2024 is divided into seven main parts, with the aim of establishing a robust and effective framework for the management and operation of the Corporation, which serves as a public broadcasting entity.

Due to the establishment of the Corporation under the Establishment Order, the minister responsible for broadcasting was not granted the authority to create regulations for managing and overseeing various important matters related to its performance, including revenue collection and the protection of broadcasting infrastructure.

Tabling the Bill in Parliament yesterday, Minister for Information, Culture, Art and Sports, Prof Palamagamba Kabudi said the new bill seeks to enable TBC to invest in modern shortwave and mediumwave infrastructure technology so that its broadcasting services can go global.

According to Prof Kabudi, given the fact that TBC now plays a wider role in disseminating information, including propagating Kiswahili language in the world, the government deemed it necessary to enact the legislation to bestowed legal obligation upon it ( Corporation).

The passed Bill also protects all TBC premises and infrastructure locations by imposing penalties on trespassers and intruders.

The minister said TBC owns a total of 67 premises, including broadcasting infrastructure locations. The enacted bill wants any person who trespasses and intrudes into the TBC areas to be liable to a fine amounting to less not than 2m/- and not more than 5m/-. Such person may also be liable to a two- year jail term or a jail sentence not exceeding five years or both.

Earlier, the Bill had proposed a fine of not less than 10m/- and not more than 20m/- but legislators called for the reduction of the amounts.

The Bill provides prohibitions and penalties for anyone who violates the prohibitions, including the destruction of the organisation’s property including using the organisation’s broadcasting content in any manner or through any source without the organisation’s approval.

The Bill places the Corporation under the management of a Board established by this Bill under Section 6 of the Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation Act, 2024.

Additionally, under this bill, the President has been given the authority to appoint the Board chair based on the appropriate qualifications, and the responsible minister has been granted powers to appoint board members based on the qualifications specified in Sections6 (2) and 7 of the Act.

According to the Bill, the board members must have more than 10 years’ experience in the broadcasting or engineering field, legal fraternity, information technology, economy or finance.

Presenting the views of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Infrastructure Development, Committee member, Mr Ali Mlagila (CCM-Kyela) said TBC must ensure its services reach all Tanzanians, irrespective of the geographical locations.

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He said the enactment of the law gives TBC powers, authority and mandate to effectively use the emerging broadcasting technologies in the world.

Contributing to the Bill during deliberations, Jumanne Mtaturu (CCM-Singida East) said the enactment of the law will enable TBC to have new sources of revenue, including exploiting the emerging technologies in the broadcasting field.

Innocent Kalogeris (CCM-Morogoro South) said; “Through this Bill, we are now empowering TBC so that it can lead the way in preparing broadcasting content beneficial to the nation.”

He added; “TBC, sometimes, does not reach remote and border areas, prompting residents in the areas to listen to radio and watch television contents from the neighbouring countries, which is not good and safe for the nation.”

Abdallah Chaurembo (CCM- Mbagala) acknowledged the roles played by TBC, saying the Corporation is an important tool for the country’s development.

“The broadcaster plays a key role in spreading Kiswahili Language in the world, and given the fact that Tanzania takes a lead in enabling language to spread its wings across the globe bringing this Bill to Parliament is a wise decision.” he said.