Africa-Press – Tanzania. KONGWA District Commissioner Dr. Seleman Serera said the media industry as a stakeholder of the government in community development has a great role to play in addressing the untold social, economic and political challenges facing people at the grassroots.
While addressing journalists as the Dodoma Region Press Freedom Day celebrations, recently organized by the Dodoma Regional Press Club (CPC) in collaboration with the Union of Tanzania Press Clubs (UTPC), Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA), and the Dodoma Water and Sanitation Authority (DUWASA), he further the media has made significant contributions in the economic development of the country at large.
Speaking on behalf of Dodoma Region Commissioner Dr. Binilith Mahenge, who was expected to grace the occasion, he urged the journalists to continue being professional in publishing especially government information.
He said through the media reports many hidden problems in the society become known and make it possible for the relevant authorities to address, adding: “The media gives great impetus to the development of this country.
Journalists have raised many challenges that some of us as leaders, we could not see…and what you are showing, gives us an opportunity to be informed, and solve them to improve the lives of the people.”
However, Dr Serera urged journalists to write stories that are useful to the public and refrain from those aimed at inciting hatred and conflict in the society, saying ‘that is something unhealthy for the welfare of society and their careers.
“The motto of this year’s World Press Freedom Day celebrations is-‘news for the public interest, so you journalists should write the news that helps the public to come out of problems.”
Equally, he urged them to keep pace with changes in science and technology and to ensure that they adhering to journalism ethics in order to avoid potential conflicts.
Dr. Serera further noted that the growth of technology has provided an opportunity for writers to be self-employed or earn money, adding that journalists must be sharp to grasp the opportunities available online.
On his part, CPC Chairman Musa Yusuph said the major challenge in the media industry, especially in the Dodoma region is that there is a discrimination practiced by some media stakeholders, when it comes to covering their stories.
“Some officers or media stakeholders discriminate journalist…. due to the size of the media they represent. You find journalists from some small media organizations are being left behind and this is unacceptable,” he said.
