Contribute to speeding up national development, media told

MWANZA: JOURNALISTS have been reminded of their crucial role in educating and providing accurate information to empower citizens in contributing to the national development efforts.

Ukerewe District Commissioner, Mr Christopher Ngubiagai, made the call on behalf of Mwanza Regional Commissioner, Mr Said Mtanda, during the Mwanza night media gala organised by the Mwanza Press Club (MPC).

Mr Ngubiagai urged the media to serve as a vital bridge connecting the government, the public and various sectors, pointing out the importance of journalists to fulfil the responsibility with professionalism and dedication.

Acknowledging the challenges facing the media, including limited resources and safety concerns, Mr Ngubiagai assured that the government is committed to providing a safe and enabling environment for media practitioners in Mwanza Region.

He highlighted the support already extended to journalists in addressing hurdles encountered while performing their duties.

“Journalists sometimes face challenges from stakeholders,” he noted, adding that the government guarantees a secure working environment to ensure that media professionals can carry out their duties effectively.

Looking forward to 2025, Mr Ngubiagai revealed that the Mwanza regional administration plans to offer greater support to local media outlets to enhance their capacity to disseminate information and engage the public.

He strongly criticised leaders who withhold information from journalists, saying such practices have no place in an era defined by advanced science and technology.

“If our President Samia Suluhu Hassan works closely with the media, who are you to deny journalists’ access to information meant for the public?” he asked.

Mr Ngubiagai lauded President Samia’s efforts in improving media freedom and creating a supportive environment for journalists.

He noted that her administration initiated significant reforms, including opening dialogue with media stakeholders, revising restrictive media laws and strengthening professional ethics in media operations.

“President Samia’s leadership has restored media freedom, encouraged cooperation with both local and international media outlets and promoted the use of information and communication technology to enhance journalistic practices,” he said.

According to him, the restructuring of the Ministry of Information to include culture, arts and sports underscores the government’s commitment to streamline its operations for efficiency.

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Also training programmes for journalists, organised by both government and private institutions, have also been introduced to improve their skills and competitiveness at national and international levels.

“These measures reflect the President’s dedication to strengthen the media sector, ensuring it operates independently, responsibly and effectively for the betterment of the society,” Mr Ngubiagai stated.

The District Commissioner also commended the progress made under President Samia’s leadership, noting that it has created opportunities for cooperation between media owners, stakeholders and journalists, enhancing the sector’s contribution to national development.

For his part, MPC Chairman Mr Edwin Soko highlighted challenges faced by media outlets in Mwanza, particularly in accessing information from some public institutions. He called for increased cooperation and openness between journalists and stakeholders to ensure accurate and timely dissemination of information.

The purpose of the media gala, Mr Soko explained, was to bring together journalists and stakeholders to promote mutual understanding and foster partnerships in their respective roles.

The cooperation aims to support regional development initiatives through the free flow of information. Meanwhile, the Lake Zone Manager for the Tanzania Insurance Regulatory Authority (TIRA), Mr Richard Toyota, urged journalists to focus more on reporting about the insurance sector.

He pointed out significant achievements in the industry, noting that the insurance sector’s contribution to the national GDP has grown from 0.5-0.6 per cent in 2011- 2013 to 2.02 per cent as of 2023.

Mr Toyota also highlighted the rise in public awareness about insurance, stating that 50-60 per cent of Tanzanians now have a basic understanding of how insurance operates, attributing the rise to concerted efforts by TIRA and the media.