THE Media Institute of Southern Africa Tanzania Chapter (MISA-TAN) has organised a training seminar for senior journalists and editors in Zanzibar, geared towards equipping them with basic knowledge on Freedom of Expression (FOE).
The one-day seminar was and also meant to discussed ways in lobbying and advocating for media law reforms as well as aiming at enlightening them on various issues related to promoting gender equality in newsrooms.
Editors and senior journalists were also trained on how to identify gaps in laws and policies for improvement of the working environment.
“It is imperative for media practitioners to advocate for better laws and policies to govern the profession and the government under the leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan and Zanzibar’s Dr Hussein Mwinyi has always expressed commitment to ensure better laws and policies are in place,” said Prof Chris Peter Maina, law lecturer at the University of Dar es Salaam.
He said both leaders have shown interest to work with the media, an opportunity that media houses and journalists must utilise to advocate for changes of media laws and policies so that journalists operate in a friendly environment.
MISA-TAN senior officers also had a meeting with members of Zanzibar House of Representative committee, responsible for media as a way to further push for reforms regarding media laws and policies in Zanzibar.
The House committee led by its Chairperson Mr Mohamed Ahmada Salum welcomed the meeting with members of MISA-TAN, saying that dialogues have been always the best way to resolve challenges.
They promised to support changes brought in the house that will ensure media freedom and freedom of expression.
Coordinator of the media training programme, Ms Jacqueline Jones said the meetings with journalists and legislators aimed at advocating for the changes that will improve media freedom and freedom of expression.
