Africa-Press – Tanzania. DODOMA: PRIME Minister Kassim Majaliwa has urged authorities to eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy in accessing information so that journalists can efficiently carry out their duties with reliable information.
The Premier made this call in Dodoma on Friday during a celebration honouring World Press Freedom Day while addressing journalists and other stakeholders.
Emphasising the importance of the Access to Information Act of 2016, he stressed the need to adhere to it and remove barriers hindering journalists from effectively fulfilling their roles.
Mr Majaliwa encouraged heads of institutions to create a supportive environment for journalistic professionalism and accessibility to essential information.
The Prime Minister suggested establishing dedicated desks within media organisations to address climate change-related matters.
Such desks should seek funding for professional training programmes to enhance journalists’ coverage of climate change issues and their societal implications, he said.
The theme of the 2024 World Press Freedom Day event, “Journalism and the Challenges of Climate Change,” aligned with the Prime Minister’s call for increased attention to environmental concerns in media coverage.
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The UN General Assembly declared May 3 as World Press Freedom Day to raise awareness of press freedom and remind governments of their duty to uphold the right to freedom of expression. It also commemorates the Windhoek Declaration, a statement of free press principles developed by African newspapers.
Recognising the financial constraints faced by investigative journalists, Mr Majaliwa emphasised the importance of adequate funding for investigative reporting and training.
He called on various stakeholders, including governmental institutions, civil society organisations and local and foreign entities, to collaborate with the media in supporting research and investigative journalism efforts.
“I ask all important stakeholders, including institutions, civil society organisations, and various local and foreign organisations, to cooperate with the media in achieving research and investigative journalism and helping the media grow professionally and economically,” he remarked.
Regarding the challenges faced by female journalists, the Prime Minister instructed relevant ministries to prioritise the completion of the National Plan of Action to End Violence Against Women and Children (NPAVAWC II) in Tanzania. This initiative aims to reduce physical attacks on women journalists, ensuring their safety and enabling them to perform their professional duties without fear.
In his address, Mr Majaliwa urged journalists to uphold professionalism, ethics and patriotism in their reporting. He emphasised the media’s crucial role in shaping public opinion, promoting national interests and contributing to economic growth and development.
The Prime Minister reiterated the importance of these institutions in fostering citizen engagement, advocating for societal issues, and contributing to national development initiatives.
He commended journalists for their dedication to serving the public interest and stressed the vital role of the media in shaping a positive national image and fostering socio-economic progress.
“Journalists can advocate for the public on issues such as moral decay, environmental effects, corruption and inefficiency and they can also support policies that promote resilience and sustainable development in critical areas,” he explained.
The Minister for Information, Communications and Information Technology, Nape Nnauye, noted improvements in the country’s media freedom, attributing progress to government-led efforts. However, he acknowledged that further strides are necessary to achieve desired media freedom standards.
The event saw the participation of various stakeholders, including academics, representatives from the Tanzania Editors Forum, ambassadors from the United States and Switzerland, UN representatives, civil society organisations and members of the Union of 28 Tanzania Journalists’ Clubs (UTPC).
The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres stated in a release that the 2024 World Press Freedom Day is dedicated to the importance of journalism and freedom of expression in the context of the global environmental crisis.
Awareness of all aspects of the global environmental crisis and its consequences is crucial to build democratic societies. Journalistic work is essential for this purpose.
He added that journalists face significant challenges in seeking and disseminating information on contemporary issues such as supply chain problems, climate migration, extractive industries, illegal mining, pollution, poaching, animal trafficking, deforestation, and climate change.
“Ensuring the visibility of these issues is crucial for promoting peace and democratic values worldwide. Also, the media shapes the public discourse about climate change and how to respond to it,” he said.
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