Free press vital to democracy, says UNESCO official
ARUSHA: UNESCO Assistant Director General of Communication and Information, Dr Tawfik Jelassi, has stated that the establishment, maintenance and fostering of an independent, pluralistic and free press is essential to the development and sustainability of democracy.
He expressed it while addressing the second Pan-African Media Councils Summit in Arusha yesterday.
Dr Jelassi noted that trust in media is being tested as development in technology is transforming how information is produced, shared, disseminated and used.
He highlighted that freedom of expression and access to information face growing pressure worldwide.
“In this context, we must remember the 1991 Windhoek Declaration which insisted that the establishment, maintenance and fostering of an independent, pluralistic and free press is essential to the development and sustainability of democracy in a nation,” he said.
He added, “This vision born in Africa and championed by Africans, remains relevant today more than ever before.”
Dr Jelassi underscored that over the last three decades, countries across the African continent have made significant progress in nurturing a vibrant media sector driven by local and national efforts.
According to him, much of that progress was made possible by the creation of enabling environments, legal and policy frameworks that allow for independent regulators that support media self-regulation and the promotion of professional and ethical journalism.
“These foundations enable journalism to thrive and gain people’s trust, even in the face of persistent and emerging challenges,” he noted.
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He added, “Today’s summit offers us a critical opportunity to reaffirm a shared commitment that journalism excellence is a cornerstone of democracy, human rights and development in Africa.”
Speaking about technological pace, he said that media and communication regulation have to keep pace with rapid technological advances while safeguarding information integrity, freedom of expression and universal access to reliable information meanwhile investing in artificial intelligence.
For his part, Chairperson of the Network of Independent Media Councils of Africa (NIMCA) who is also the Executive Secretary of the Media Council of Tanzania (MCT), Mr Ernest Sungura, among other things noted that the summit is historic and a call to action in fostering collaboration and innovation for a brighter future for journalism across the continent.
Acting Director of the Tanzania Information Services (Habari-MAELEZO), Mr Rodney Thadeus, insisted that his department will continue to cooperate with MCT to ensure the media sector is well developed, meanwhile insisting ethical journalism be respected.
