Media, Police pledge closer cooperation for peaceful General Election

BUKOBA: THE Tanzania Police Force and the country’s media industry have reaffirmed their commitment to work hand-in-hand during the forthcoming General Election, aiming to foster peace, national unity and well-informed citizen participation.

The pledge was made during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting held in Mwanza City, recently, bringing together senior police officials, regulatory bodies and media executives.

The dialogue focused on building mutual trust, clarifying roles and developing joint strategies to ensure the electoral process is transparent, safe and free from unnecessary tension.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), David Misime, the Police Force spokesperson, told participants that the media’s role in elections extends far beyond tallying results or covering rallies.

He said journalists carry a civic responsibility to help shape constructive public perception and guide citizens toward peaceful engagement.

“Journalists are educators in their own right,” stressed DCP Misime.

“Your stories influence how people think, speak and act. You must ensure Tanzanians understand why voting matters, how to participate responsibly and the importance of resolving differences peacefully.”

He noted that misinformation, inflammatory language or biased reporting could undermine national stability.

He urged media houses to verify facts, avoid sensationalism and focus on educating the public about their rights, responsibilities and the legal framework governing elections.

Engineer Andrew Kisaka, representing the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), reinforced the call for responsible reporting.

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He warned of the dangers posed by the spread of unverified information, citing examples from other countries where careless coverage had fueled post-election violence.

Mr Kisaka highlighted that President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration has significantly expanded media freedoms, with the number of licensed outlets steadily rising.

Current statistics show Tanzania has 375 registered newspapers, 247 radio stations, 68 television stations, 355 online platforms and 72 blogs.

This, he said, reflects a robust and diverse media landscape, but also demands greater accountability from practitioners.

In addition, Mr Innocent Mungy, Head of Public Relations and Communication Unit at the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC), urged journalists to safeguard individual privacy during the election period.

He warned that in an era of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and deepfake technology, personal data and images can easily be misused to spread disinformation or defame individuals.

The meeting formed part of a series of stakeholder engagements that began in 2010 to institutionalise cooperation between the media and the police during politically sensitive periods.

Participants agreed to strengthen communication channels, set up rapid response mechanisms for addressing false reports and hold follow-up sessions in the run-up to the polls.

By the close of the session, the consensus was clear: when the media and police work together with integrity, they can help safeguard democracy,

preserve social cohesion and ensure that the 2025 General Election is remembered for its credibility and peace.