Africa-Press – Tanzania. DAR ES SALAAM: PRIME Minister Kassim Majaliwa has directed media management authorities to ensure that media outlets adhere to ethical standards and refrain from publishing content that undermines Tanzanian values, traditions and customs.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister said that the government will maintain its collaborative efforts with stakeholders of social networks and the media, in order to guarantee the sector’s sustained expansion and its contribution to the nation’s progress.
“By utilising the media, particularly social networks, we have successfully disseminated information to the general public regarding governmental initiatives and plans, while also fostering citizen engagement and participation in several initiatives and plans.” he observed Mr Majaliwa made the remarks on Tuesday in Dar es Salaam at the Association of Social Media Journalists, JUMIKITA conference. Majaliwa’s remarks came during a conference that also reviewed the three-year achievements of President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
He noted that the government has made significant efforts to improve laws and guidelines governing the information sector, fostering an environment where journalists can work freely while respecting cultural values and individual rights.
“Since President Samia came to power, we have witnessed significant growth in the information sector, particularly the increase in users and readers of news via mobile networks,” Majaliwa explained.
He also announced the preparation of a National Communication Strategy, aimed at ensuring stakeholders at all levels receive sufficient information and actively participate in national development, thereby strengthening government communication.
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Earlier, the Minister of Information, Communications and Information Technology, Nape Nnauye, directed the Tanzania Communications Authority (TCRA) to prepare a shortterm training program for online journalists to build their capacity to do their jobs based on Tanzanian values and culture.
For his part, the Chairman of JUMIKITA, Shaban Matwebe used the opportunity to thank the government for managing the sustainable growth of the media sector in the country, including strengthening its independence.
TCRA Head of Communication and Public Relations, Mr Rolf Kibaja, said TCRA oversees licensed online service providers, monitoring and reviewing their content to ensure quality content is delivered.
“For those who provide inappropriate content and do not have a TCRA license, appropriate legal action is taken,” he asserted As of June 2023, TCRAs’ reports states that there is a surge in registered broadcasting entities, including 272 online TVs, 66 television stations, 81 cable TVs, 225 radios and eight online radios.
In the fiscal year 2024/25, the Ministry of Information, Communication and Information Technology plans to oversee the registration and management of essential ICT infrastructure in the country, update the system for statistics on cybercrimes and incidents in collaboration with the Police Force, the National Prosecution Office and the Judiciary.
Other priorities of the ministry in ensuring online safety include enhancing the capabilities of the Digital Forensics Unit for the Police Force at the headquarters in Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar, updating the Public Cybersecurity Awareness Strategy 2024/25-2027/28 and developing a strategy for child protection against online abuse.
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