Samia’s promise to media industry amid fresh hope

Dar es Salaam. A new dawn is breaking for Tanzania’s media industry as President Samia Suluhu Hassan has pledged more significant improvements in the sector.

The media fraternity in the country, according to various reports, has continued to strengthen following the goodwill shown since President Hassan took office.

According to the Minister of Information, Communication, and Information Technology, Mr Nape Nnauye, Tanzania has made progress from the 142nd position globally to the 97th position, while indicating that there is room for more improvements due to existing strategies.

Speaking at the National Media Sector Development Conference on Tuesday, the President committed to addressing long-standing issues, including paying off debts owed to media institutions.

This move that was addressed to media personnel and leaders from across the country is expected to rejuvenate a sector that has been struggling under financial burdens.

It came, while in May, some members of Parliament highlighted the urgent need for the government to allocate funds in the 2024/25 budget to clear debts owed to media outlets. These debts, amounting to over Sh19 billion, have hindered the media’s ability to thrive and sustain operations. The MPs stressed that swift action was essential.

The report from the team appointed by Minister Nnauye to assess the state of media outlets, when presented by its chairman, Mr Tido Mhando, to President Hassan, highlighted one of the challenges and requested the President’s intervention on the issue of accumulated debts.

President Hassan, addressing the conference, acknowledged the challenges presented in a recent assessment report of media outlets.

She directed the Minister of Information, Communication and Information Technology, Mr Nnauye, together with the team members to analyse the report and present actionable solutions.

“The issue of debts owed to media outlets needs to be resolved,” she stated firmly. “All debts that have been verified will be paid.”

The President pointed out that the debts have persisted partly due to poor business practices within media houses. She noted that many outlets accepted advertisements without proper receipts or invoices.

“I think now our media outlets should be run commercially. If they are run commercially, these debts will not exist,” she emphasised, urging a shift towards better financial management.

Foreign investment in the media sector also came under discussion. Veteran journalist, Mr Mhando, presenting the assessment report also highlighted the restrictions limiting foreign ownership to 49 percent have contributed to the sector’s economic woes, asking for 75 percent as a property for foreign shareholders.

President Hassan responded positively, indicating that this legal requirement would be reviewed. “Many media outlets that were owned by foreigners have scaled back and reduced employees. So, we will look into it,” she assured.

The President issued a clear directive: “All ministries and public institutions that owe media outlets in my government should verify the debts and agree on payment procedures. This should be done no later than December 24 this year.”

“By December 25, all payable debts should be settled.” She pledged to oversee this process personally and instructed the Ministry of Finance to ensure that all verified debts are paid.

In return, President Hassan called on media outlets to fulfil their responsibilities to their employees. “And you, pay your employees,” she urged, expressing surprise at the high number of journalists working without contracts.

“You journalists are good at writing about organizations that don’t provide contracts and delay salaries, but you don’t have contracts and you’ve kept quiet,” she wondered.

The President also encouraged media outlets to focus on analytical journalism, which she believes will enhance the profession’s value to society. “The government will do its part, but you also play your role,” she urged.

President Hassan underscored the media’s crucial role in promoting democracy, transparency, and accountability. As Tanzania grows economically, she emphasised, the media sector must adapt and evolve.

“Freedom of speech and correction is ongoing, but it doesn’t mean that when we talk about freedom of expression and media freedom, anyone can just stand up and start insulting and defaming others,” she clarified, addressing the issue of hate speech on social media.

Chairperson of the Coalition on the Right to Information (CoRI), Mr Ernest Sungura, and Executive Director of the Media Council of Tanzania (MCT), echoed said;

“The biggest cry of journalists is working without contracts, without salaries, and for the few who have salaries, they are not paid on time,” he said. He cited a study by the Union of Press Clubs (UTPC), revealing that 80 percent of journalists lack formal contracts.