Africa-Press – Tanzania. ZANZIBAR Treasury Registrar’s Office, in collaboration with the Institute of Public Relations Tanzania (IPRT) and the Department of Information (Maelezo) Zanzibar, has officially launched the inaugural Communication Excellence Awards to honour and empower journalists.
The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on July 5th, this year and is open to participants from Zanzibar, Mainland Tanzania and beyond provided the submitted entries focus on Zanzibar related topics, particularly those tied to development.
The launch event, held at the Treasury Registrar’s office in the Maisara area of Zanzibar, also featured the unveiling of a dedicated website providing comprehensive information about the awards, including participation forms and submission guidelines.
Treasury Registrar of Zanzibar, Mr Waheed Ibrahim Sanya outlined the main objectives of the awards which include encouraging local and international media outlets to provide in-depth coverage on the achievements of development projects initiated by the current Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar.
He said that the awards would not only recognise journalists’ contributions but also create a platform to highlight socio-economic progress that benefits the people of Zanzibar.
Mr Sanya further explained that the awards aim to build the capacity of journalists and communication officers within public institutions, enhancing their impact on national development.
“Another goal is to provide training for government officials and board members of public institutions and agencies in good governance and strategic communication, ultimately improving public service delivery,” he added.
The awards are also intended to showcase economic opportunities to attract both local and foreign investors, strengthen social cohesion and preserve Zanzibari culture an important heritage of the islands.
Mr Sanya affirmed that the partnership behind the awards is committed to fostering developmental transformation in Zanzibar by promoting accurate, ethical and professional reporting on key government projects.
Director of IPRT, Dr Titus Solomon noted that the awards are designed to recognise and motivate media stakeholders journalists, editors and information officers to highlight both achievements and challenges in development efforts.
“This initiative will enhance the competence of journalists and information officers across government institutions by promoting transparency and collaboration, which are vital to improving the quality of information and public services,” Dr Solomon said.
He said that the awards will play a significant role in strengthening public communication, ensuring that citizens receive timely, relevant updates on development projects undertaken by the authorities.
The awards aim to build media capacity by encouraging journalists to identify and report on community-level challenges so the government can take timely action.
“It is IPRT’s hope that these awards will yield positive results and strengthen communication between public institutions and the people of Zanzibar, particularly by promoting transparency and accountability,” Dr Solomon added.
The awards programme coordinator from IPRT Tanzania, Mr Lufunyo Mlyuka noted that beyond recognition, the initiative seeks to promote best practices in strategic communication.
“Our goal is to encourage the effective use of language in journalism to meet media objectives, including analytical reporting on key issues affecting the nation,” he said.
He added that the awards are also meant to inspire journalists to adopt appropriate communication strategies that can drive growth and innovation in the sectors they cover.
Earlier, Public Relations Manager from Takaful Insurance (ZIC), Mr Juma Mmanga the main sponsor of the awards reminded journalists of their core mission to educate, inform and entertain while delivering high-quality information to the public.
Representing the Department of Information (Maelezo), Ms Mwantanga Juma called on journalists and information officers to actively participate in the awards, noting the importance of their role in supporting development and enhancing public awareness in Zanzibar.
Speaking on behalf of media stakeholders, veteran journalist Mr Salim Said Salim hailed the launch of the awards as a major milestone for journalism in the country.
He urged fellow journalists to seize the opportunity by producing impactful investigative stories that lead to positive change for both communities and the nation.
Mr Salim also encouraged journalists, especially those working in radio and television to use proper Kiswahili and uphold the dignity of the national language
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