Africa-Press – Tanzania. THE government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the media sector and enhancing journalists’ working conditions, while outlining its expectations for media conduct ahead of the 2025 General Election.
The assurance was made on Wednesday by Chief Government Spokesperson and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports Mr Gerson Msigwa during a stakeholders’ meeting in Dar es Salaam focused on the media’s role in promoting a smooth electoral process.
In his closing remarks, Mr Msigwa pledged the government’s continued collaboration with journalists, ensuring they can perform their duties diligently before, during and after the elections.
He conveyed President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s message to the media, urging them to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and responsibility to help maintain peace and national unity throughout the election period.
“President Samia Suluhu Hassan assures the media of her unwavering commitment to press freedom. She reaffirms that government support for media operations remains unchanged. She urges us to navigate the electoral process safely, using our pens to preserve Tanzania’s peace,” said Mr Msigwa.
He also announced the development of an election reporting guide for journalists, expected to be finalised and released by the end of July. Reaffirming the government’s dedication to improving the media landscape, Mr Msigwa stressed that journalists will be allowed to operate freely and without interference.
He encouraged media outlets to report any challenges they face to the Ministry for timely support, stressing the government’s readiness to work together to overcome obstacles. Ms Msigwa emphasised the importance of fair, balanced and accurate reporting.
He urged journalists to avoid disseminating information that could provoke unrest or fuel conflict.
“We expect media coverage to refrain from promoting tribalism, religious intolerance, regionalism, or racial discrimination,” he said, adding that reporters should respect privacy rights and uphold national values such as peace, unity and love.
Mr Msigwa also underscored the need for the media to comply with the Constitution, national laws and journalistic ethics, while steering clear of malicious or misleading content.
Speaking during the meeting, Journalists Accreditation Board (JAB) Acting Director Patrick Kipangula stressed that while journalists have a duty to act responsibly, their rights must also be upheld.
He highlighted these rights as including the freedom to gather information from diverse sources, process and edit content in line with professional ethics and disseminate news as provided under Section 7(1) of the 2016 Media Services Act.
“These rights must be exercised within the boundaries of the law, professional ethics and the public interest,” Mr Kipangula said.
He also encouraged all journalists to register with the board to ensure they operate within legal frameworks.
Dr Egbert Mkoko, a lecturer at the University of Dar es Salaam’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication (UDSM-SJMC), called on media professionals to strictly adhere to election reporting guidelines. He underscored the importance of professionalism, fairness and ethical conduct.
On his part, Tanzania Police Force Sporkeperson, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) David Misime stressed the critical importance of journalist safety during the elections.
He advised media personnel to wear clearly marked identification gear, such as protective vests, while covering election events.
“I also emphasise the need to report fairly and avoid publishing provocative or unbalanced content, as such stories often trigger conflict,” said DCP Misime.
Meanwhile, Mr Benjamin Kuzaga, a journalist from the Mbeya Region, praised the issuance of accreditation cards by the JAB, noting the move would help reduce the number of unqualified and unprofessional individuals in the field.
Journalists attending the meeting called for more training opportunities, particularly for young reporters.
They emphasised the need for increased awareness of the media’s role in promoting peace and avoiding content that could incite division or unrest.
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