‘Observe ethics, professionalism to promote gender balance in reporting’ 

JOURNALISTS here have been urged to work professionally in accordance with the law, regulations and ethics to promote gender-sensitive reporting.

Mr Suleiman Abdalla, Executive Secretary of Zanzibar Broadcasting Commission (ZBC) and Ms Shifaa Said Hassan- board member of Tanzania Media Women Association (TAMWA)-Zanzibar, emphasised on Journalists to provide enough space for women in the media.

“We already have gender reporting guidelines for the media, which will help executives in the media to focus on gender needs to achieve the country’s and global goals of gender equality,” Ms Hassan told journalists and stakeholders in a one-day training on the use of social media.

The guidance is also based on the fact that gender issues are now being emphasised globally, therefore, the media as a key stakeholder in improving gender equality, should understand policies and strategies in place to drum for, in improving gender equality.

She asked to recall that Tanzania signed and ratified a number of international agreements that contain articles to promote gender equality including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) of 1979, and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) of 2008.

At the meeting organised by ZBC and TAMWA-Zanzibar held at Rahaleo studio Hall, she said the policy has been championed by various stakeholders including local media organisations, journalists, non-governmental organisations and the government, “We need to eliminate gender inequality in all aspects of life, including economy, leadership and society.”

The ZBC executive secretary thanked executives in his office for providing the guidelines and principles that should be observed by the media for ‘truth, accuracy, accountability and balance’ when covering or reporting news.

“I thank the organisers of the training of Journalists and media stakeholders because it reminds them of their role to communicate reliable information to the community while promoting gender equality,” Mr Suleiman said.

The Broadcasting Commission’s legal officer Ms Khadija Mabrouk Hassan has also explained the changes to broadcasting licence fees and areas of regulation changes.