DAR ES SALAAM: EDITORS have stressed the importance of effective strategic communication to raise public awareness about the Tanzania Development Vision 2050 and ensure its successful implementation.
They made the remarks on Monday in Dar es Salaam during a consultation event organised by the Ministry of Planning and Investment to gather editors’ views on the recently unveiled first draft of the Vision 2050.
Tanzania Editors’ Forum (TEF) Chairman, Mr Deodatus Balile said that clarity of facts should enable comparison of data to allow readers to measure past achievements under the Vision 2025 and aspirations for the next 25 years.
He cited target number nine under the drafted Vision 2050, which aims for the country to have sufficient energy, with a per capita energy consumption of at least 600 KWh, without specifying the current average electricity consumption per person.
“Targets should clearly show what we have achieved so far and what we aspire to achieve in the next 25 years in order to make comparison and assessments,” Mr Balile said.
He also suggested integrating media outlets in conveying specific targets to promote national culture to the public especially by acting as catalysts. The country under the Vision 2050 targets Kiswahili to be adopted as one of two official languages in Africa and the United Nations (UN).
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He noted that the first draft of the Vision 2050 does not mention the role of mass media in promoting culture and economic activities.
“It is crucial to incorporate the media in advocating for the contents of the Vision and act as a catalyst in monitoring each step of its implementation,” he said.
Furthermore, Mr Balile suggested involvement of editors in editing and organising the flow of the Vision’s contents so as to be more readable and freer from spelling errors noticed in some sentences.
Seasoned editor, Bakari Machumu who doubles as the Vice-chairperson of TEF called on the government to come up with a mass communication strategy that will ensure both traditional and citizen journalists are well informed about all the details of the Vision, enabling them to disseminate accurate news.
Moreover, Mr Machumu said the strategy should aim at equipping informants such as government officials with effective communication skills that use the Vision as reference.
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Another participant, Mr Nelvin Meena urged the government to design a mechanism that will ensure every investor responds to specific target outlined by the Vision 2050.
He said investors’ objectives should be aligned with the Vision targets in efforts of making it achievable. Seasoned journalist, Mr Paschal Mayala said more efforts should be directed to public education to ensure every citizen is well informed on the Vision’s targets.
Meanwhile, Veteran journalist, Ms Joyce Shebe said the communication strategy alongside the Vision 2050 should cut across all sectors and be used by all economic players in exchanging information.
For his part, Minister for Planning and Investment, Professor Kitila Mkumbo assured editors that the government will consider their suggestions including that of having a communication strategy saying it is indispensable. Also, he said some editors will be involved in editing.
