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Coalition engages MPs in push for media law improvements

Member of the Coalition of the Right to Information (CoRI), Mr Deus Kibamba taking through Members of Parliament on the important provisions to be amended in the Media Services Act of 2016, in Dodoma, recently. PHOTO | COURTESY

By  Peter Elias

What you need to know:

  • The Miscellaneous Amendment Bill which comprises eight laws including the MSA, was first tabled in the Parliament on February 10

Dar es Salaam. Members of the Coalition of Right to Information (CoRI) are engaging members of the National Assembly on the importance of the provisions which were omitted in the proposed amendments of the Media Services Act (MSA) of 2016.

The Miscellaneous Amendment Bill which comprises eight laws including the MSA, was first tabled in the Parliament on February 10 and will be debated in the ongoing parliament meeting in Dodoma.

Vice Chairman of Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa-Tanzania), Mr James Marenga said that they are engaging MPs because they are law makers and the proposed amendments will be on their table for debate.

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“We started with the government, they listened to us but they presented to the parliament what we all saw. It’s time now we meet the MPs so that they understand the importance of what we are seeking,” he said.

Tanzania Editors Forum (Tef) chairman, Mr Deodatus Balile said that it is crucial that MPs are made to understand the importance of some abandoned provisions in the MSA.

“We are talking to the MPs on the impact of the exclusion of the provisions which we believe are very important to the media industry. We want them to make corrections before the bill is passed,” he added.

MP for Mlalo Constituency, Mr Rashid Shangazi promised to cooperate with media stakeholders to make sure they have the best laws.

Mr Shangazi, who is also a member of the Constitution and Legal Affairs Parliamentary Committee, agreed that some provisions proposed in the bill are not sound.

“The minister (Nape Nnauye) has done a lot that we have reached this stage. I believe that you still have a chance to meet him as he is ready and considerate,” said Mr Shangazi.

A special seat MP, Ms Salome Makamba said that 35 percent of the approved stakeholder proposals were very minimal, noting that they would at least consider 50 percent. She insisted that there is a strong case to advise the committee to consider the remaining proposals.

“I have learned a lot from you and I think there is something we have to do to make better laws. 35 percent of the proposals considered in the bill are very few, we need to push to at least 50 or 60 percent,” she added.

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