Tanzania finalizes move to allow veteran journalists to return to the job under legal guidelines

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Tanzanian government is finalising a special programme to allow veteran journalists to return to the profession under strict legal guidelines.

Government Chief Spokesperson and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Gerson Msigwa, said the initiative targets experienced journalists who, for various reasons, no longer meet accreditation requirements under the Media Services Act 2016.

Speaking in an interview on Jambo Tanzania aired by TBC1, Msigwa said the government, through the Journalists Accreditation Board, is in the final stages of preparing guidelines to oversee implementation of the programme.

The guidelines are expected to come into effect in July this year.

He stressed that the framework will not grant automatic clearance for anyone to practise journalism, but will instead set clear conditions and standards—including proof of extensive professional experience—for those seeking to rejoin the field.

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Msigwa said the move aims to uphold professionalism, ethics and compliance with the law, while creating room for seasoned practitioners to continue contributing to the development of the media industry.

The government added that the initiative forms part of broader efforts to strengthen the sector by ensuring it is staffed by qualified and professionally recognised journalists.