THE government is resolving to hasten rolling out of the national communication strategy.
The move seeks to ensure that critical information and messages are relayed and conveyed from reliable sources.
It is also aimed at doing away with misreporting and combating fake news and disinformation without endangering freedom of expression, Minister for Information, Communication and Information Technology Nape Nnauye said here on Friday.
The Minister who was fielding questions from journalists, shortly after winding a retreat of senior officials of the ministry, emphasized that the government would fast-track the strategy in a bid to filter the number of ‘spokespersons and communicators’.
“Many a time, we’ve found ourselves being caught up in the barrage of statements and clarifications from people claiming to be bearers of information, especially during disasters and other crisis,” he explained.
“We want to complete the strategy this financial year, much as it is in its advanced stage.”
According to Mr Nnauye, having such a strategy will enable Tanzanians to read on the same script to not only implement transparent and timely communication strategies but also promote trusted sources of information.
“Our responsibility will be to ensure that important information is relayed to the right people, through internal and external communication,” said the Minister.
Mr Nnauye further reiterated that the government was committed to address communication challenges to ensure that there’s reliable connectivity among Tanzanians, quality provision of communication related services and to make them affordable to Tanzanians.
In the same vein, the Minister disclosed that his office is striving to keep its agencies and institutions afloat.
Mr Nnauye pointed out measures that the government had earmarked in cushioning the agencies.
“We have already settled the huge debt that Tanzania Posts Corporation was facing, but we are glad that it is now up and running,” he noted.
Another move according to the Minister included the unveiling of a Tanzania Telecommunications Corporation (TTCL).
The Ministry converged in Arusha for a three-day retreat that sought to take stock where the industry came from and where it was heading.