Media told to observe ethics while reporting people’s views on constitutional review process

AS the constitutional review process is taking its stage in the country, an association which stands for advocating social justice and educating the public how to maintain professionalism in the country has urged media industry to observe its ethical roles while reporting people’s views on constitutional change. Tanzania International Fellowship Program Alumni Association (TIFPA) made its concern recently in Dar es Salaam during a one day seminar which it had organized for the media personnel with specific views targeting the importance of the constitutional review process to the people. Two presentations were issued with a view to educate journalists on that aspect in this important and sensitive process which is expected to foresee the future of Tanzanians at large. One of the presentations was issued by a Dar es Salaam based veteran journalist Fili Karashani. Karashani said in his paper presentation entitled, “Towards a new constitution-The role of the media in the constitutional review process” that, there are some journalists in the country who do not observe ethics as required and instead ends up in purporting information to the general public. He said up to this era of science and technology there is a specified number of journalists who are still working without specialisation in the field of journalism a situation he said they end up reporting negative ideas that might bring detrimental effects such as chaos in the country.

Charles Mkude, a lawyer and Chairman of an NGO known as TIFPA  

Speaking on the grounds of media professionalism when it comes to the issue of national constitution, he has however cautioned journalists to be sensitive and observe the most sensitive areas of their reporting such as sourcing, balancing, and stick on clarity. He said the three elements are the key areas to be observed when reporting which brings a well balanced news reporting and if observed properly would enable the ideas and opinions given by the people during the process of collecting views over the matter to be fair and well balanced. Karashani has also warned journalists not to misuse technical words without seeking for clarification from the concerned professionals for their correct meaning when constructing sentences. However, he insisted journalists to be careful on punctuations and spellings in constructing a sentence to highlight their facts about the story. On his part, the Chairman of the TIFPA Charles Mkude has stressed the need of the media in covering people’s views in this process of national constitution review without interactions from any political party. However, he said this would be less provocative and will not lie on one side view. He said that there has not been any constitution amendment made with the involvement of people’s participation since independence. In view of this, he is therefore suggesting there should be a special form of mechanism that would outline advocacy skills concerning with the implementation of action plan. He said that, technical skills must be used so that all the details given should be scanned, monitored and reviewed prior to be made workable to the people to ensure that, what is laid down is correct. Mkude is on the view of the fact that, there are some important human aspects which he termed  as dilemma for which are not given the priority it deserves, and if left unattended would cause the negative impact of the people’s life in the country. In that sense, he stressed the idea of patriotism for every citizen is the most leading factor that must be put forward. Commenting on behalf of practicing journalists in the country, a member of the Tanzania Editors Forum (TEF) Ansbert  Ngurumo said that, most journalists in Tanzania needs to be kept abreast with in-depth knowledge on  media professional training especially in the areas of information dissemination. Ansbert who has a long experience in the field with about 16 years of work experience ushered his concern before fellow journalists some of whom he accused are lured by little tokens the so-called ‘Mshiko’ which according to him, has paralyzed the good conduct of journalism profession. In view of this fact, he has also blamed some media owners whom he said do not pave a good working environment for their journalists in some media houses in the country. “This is a factor which drives some of them into committing unprofessionalism”, he affirmed. TIFPA is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) which was established in the country in 2006 and its members compose an alumni group who were sponsored by an International Fellowship Foundation known as Ford Foundation. The organization plays the role of realizing social justice, advocating and educating the public while upholding professionalism and integrity.