DAR ES SALAAM: THE government has reaffirmed its commitment to a more liberal media landscape, with recent reforms aiming to protect journalists’ rights and promote press freedom.
The Minister for Information, Communication and Information Technology, Jerry Silaa, said at a stakeholders’ meeting in Dar es Salaam on Monday that the said recent legislative changes in the media sector were made to enable journalists enjoy freedom of expression, access to information and maintain editorial independence without criminalisation.
He added that the Ministry continues to coordinate the process of amending the Media Policy to further develop the media sector in the country.“I urge you all to prepare to provide feedback, as this policy belongs to all of us.
We are committed to reforming the media sector, starting with policy and legal frameworks,” Silaa said at the meeting held in preparation for the 2024 local government elections and the 2025 general elections.
Among the key changes, he noted, the amendments have also shifted liability for defamation from journalists to civil litigation.
The reforms have also relieved publishers and printing press owners of liability for content published at their establishments, acknowledging their limited control over printed material.
Minister Silaa made these remarks at a stakeholders’ meeting in Dar es Salaam, held in preparation for the 2024 local government elections and the 2025 general elections.
The Minister highlighted that one of the media’s primary responsibilities is to ensure the public receives accurate and timely information, allowing journalists and media outlets to operate freely and within the bounds of the law.
“Based on this, I felt it was important for us to meet today and discuss critical issues in preparation for the upcoming Local Government Elections.
The main goal is to engage in discussions, remind each other of important considerations during and after the elections, address challenges and have the Ministry present these to the relevant authorities for resolution,” he stated.
ALSO READ: Commission seeks public input on tax reforms
According to Minister Silaa, the amendments to the Media Services Act, Chapter 229 of 2023, have established the Media Accreditation Board.
“In line with President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s directives on September 18, 2024, I appointed the members of this board, marking my first board appointment,” he said.
Minister Silaa also encouraged journalists to adhere to laws, regulations, ethics and journalistic principles during this campaign period and the Local Government Elections.
Director General of the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), Dr Jabir Bakari, urged the media to follow guidelines set by the Ministry for election reporting.
“Media plays a significant role in educating and informing the public during elections, and therefore, they should observe the regulations for reporting election news,” he said.
Police Spokesperson Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) David Misime emphasised the role of the police in maintaining security by identifying and preventing crimes before they occur.
He noted that the police strive to create a supportive environment for collaboration with various stakeholders, including journalists and urged journalists to act responsibly to prevent unrest.
