Aljazeera TV Network To Train Tanzanian Journalists On Safety At Working Places, Investigative Journalism

By Staff Writer,  Arusha 

THE Qatari state-owned International Television Network, Al Jazeera, has expressed readiness to partner with the Journalists Workers ‘Union of Tanzania (JOWUTA) to traing local reporters on safety at work, as well as investigative journalism.

The vital development in the country’s media corridor surfaced during the internal meeting of the African journalists, organized by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) on the sideline of the ongoing 77th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights in Arusha City.

During the meeting, the Chairperman of JOWUTA, Mr Mussa Juma requested the reputable International Television Network to mull over the position to help impart the local media practitioners with the most needed skills and working standards.

In his request, Mr Juma expressed that majority of Tanzanian journalists are insecure while at works, especially when covering events concerning diverse socioeconomic and political conflicts.

Together with that,  he also raised that the local-based journalists are being paid poorly, and are far from awareness in reporting awars, as well as disasters.

Responding to the timely plea,  Mr Sami Elhag, the Director of Aljazeera Center for Public Liberties and Human Rights unveiled that Aljazeera was keen to support help the Tanzania's journalists to scale up their professionalism and working performance. 

According to Mr Elhag, among the key areas to be trained in the envisaged sessions includes safety at working places, recommended standards and code of ethics in covering and reporting investigative stories.

Moreover, he said the training will also serve as a crucial podium for the media members from both sides to share useful experience and inputs.

He observed that the journalists in different parts of the globe are subjected to diverse challenges over their security, saying the journalists at Aljazeera have so far encountered a series of such cases.

Speaking earlier, the Secretary of IFJ, Mr  Louis Thomasi said despite facing lack of security while at working places, most of the journalists in the world are victimised by the set country’s unfriendly laws and regulations. 

Mr Thomasi spoke over the need for the journalists to be equipped with proper knowledge to protect themselves, but also be paid highly, whereby friendly laws must be put in place to allow freedom of press, together with freedom of expression. 

"The Governments across African countries must work to develop and set better laws to support the journalists to execute their daily roles more professionally and thus, propelling to needed democratic and economic growth," he challenged.

And the representative of the A 19, the international human rights organisation,  Mr Alfred Bulaka said in order for democracy to prevail in any nation, promotion of  freedom of expression and freedom of information must be prioritized. 

"Media freedom and freedom of expression is oxygen of democracy, and therefore, the African Governments must work to promote situation, " he added.

However, during the meeting the Government of Tanzania was hailed for it strides in promoting media freedom,  including a move to amend the relevant laws with an eye to ensure the local journalists are protected, and accomplishes their daily crucial works with freedom. 

Presenting a topic during the forum, the Assistant Director of the Tanzania Information Services (MAELEZO), Rodney Thadeus, said the Government of Tanzania has worked to improve working environment towards the local journalists. 

He informed that, President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan, since when ascended to the country’s top seat, has pushed for the general review and amendments of media laws, the vital process which continues at impressive pace.

Mr Erick Oduor, the Secretary of Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) said during the media experts gathering that there was a need for the formulation and introduction of a special guideline for the effective monitoring of security of the journalists. 

"In Kenya, already we have a tailor-made guideline for the security and protection of the press members and we're ready to share needed experience with our counterparts in Tanzania to lobby the Government to develop and set the similar guideline" he expressed.

However, In his general remarks, the Chairperson of JOWUTA, Mr Mussa Juma thanked the different members of the press who attended the vital forum.

He similarly thanked the Government of Tanzania for improving the working environment towards the local journalists.

He assured that JOWUTA will continue to deepen its working ties with Government, together with others key stakeholders in the media industry so as to set conducive environment for them to deliver more fruitful.