Africa-Press – Tanzania. DEPUTY Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Dr Doto Biteko, has called on media outlets and practitioners across the country to carry out their duties with utmost professionalism and integrity during the upcoming General Election.
He stressed the vital role of the media in preserving national peace, unity and cohesion.
Speaking yesterday at a stakeholders’ meeting in Dar es Salaam on the media’s role in ensuring a smooth electoral process, Dr Biteko emphasised that while elections are short-term events, their outcomes, particularly in situations of unrest, can have long lasting effects if the media does not fulfill its responsibilities diligently.
“The media enjoys a high level of public trust, and with that trust comes great responsibility. The information you share has the power to either strengthen or undermine Tanzania,” Biteko said.
He urged journalists to go beyond their routine reporting and serve as guardians of the information delivered to the public.
Dr Biteko cautioned against the spread of hate speech, misinformation and biased reporting, warning that such practices could jeopardise the country’s stability.
“In this critical period, journalists must be more than just reporters they must become defenders of peace and national unity,” he stressed.
He urged the media to promote political tolerance, mutual respect, and the acceptance of diverse opinions as the nation approaches the 2025 General Election.
The deputy premier added that having differing views is neither a crime nor a sin, but rather a hallmark of a functioning democracy.
The meeting, organised by the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, brought together media stakeholders and law enforcement officials to discuss the media’s role during the upcoming election.
Dr Biteko reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of journalists and the protection of their property throughout the election period. He also underscored the government’s dedication to safeguarding media freedom.
“We must create a safe, free and enabling environment for journalists to carry out their work. Through our law enforcement agencies, including the police, we will ensure this becomes a reality,” he said.
Reflecting on the historical role of the media, Dr Biteko commended the late Mwalimu Julius Nyerere and the Father of the Nation, for using the media to unite the country and foster national identity.
“Today, Tanzania boasts over 375 newspapers, 247 radio stations, 68 television stations, 72 blogs and 355 online media outlets. This growth reflects the enabling environment created by the sixthphase government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan,” he said.
He added that one of President Samia’s early actions in office was lifting bans on previously suspended media houses and restoring their licenses, demonstrating a commitment to media freedom and its importance in national development.
Dr Biteko expressed concern over the rising spread of false and provocative content on social media platforms, urging journalists to adhere strictly to professional standards and uphold the ethical foundations of their work.
“False information breeds panic, disrupts peace and weakens national unity. We must remain vigilant, news can divide us if not handled properly,” he said.
He also challenged editors and media managers to reflect critically on their practices and protect the dignity of journalism, warning that the editor’s gatekeeping role has been significantly diminished by individuals and citizen journalists publishing content without proper editorial processes.
Dr Biteko stressed on the media’s responsibility to encourage inclusive participation in the electoral process, particularly among women, youth and marginalised groups.
He also called for fair and balanced reporting and the tracking of any legal violations before, during and after the elections.
Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports Prof Palamagamba Kabudi, reiterated that the government has long recognised the vital role of the media, dating back to the Nyerere’s era.
He noted that under the current administration, media freedom has significantly improved, supported by closer collaboration between the ministry and media stakeholders.
Prof Kabudi cited the establishment of the Journalists’ Accreditation Board as part of ongoing efforts to professionalise the sector and protect journalistic integrity.
Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry and Chief Government Spokesperson, Mr Gerson Msigwa, said that, with 2025 being an election year, the ministry saw it necessary to engage media stakeholders to ensure journalists participate meaningfully and professionally in the critical national exercise.
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