Dr Mengi: Media face setbacks.

Tanzania Private Sector Foundation Chairman Dr Reginald Mengi (TPSF), Dr Reginald Mengi.

 Tanzania Private Sector Foundation Chairman Dr Reginald Mengi (TPSF) said on Thursday night that the local media continue to suffer set backs in the fulfillment of their roles in fostering democratic rule in the country.

 

He said government authorities often use discretionary powers to ban newspapers that cover adversarial reports or “systematically expose corrupt civil servants or their immorality.”

 

Dr Mengi was speaking yesterday in Dar es Salaam during the 4th Annual East Africa Community (EAC) - East African Business Council (EABC) Media Awards gala dinner.

 

Several officials such as Ambassador Edgar Koncheka of Germany, Executive Director of Aga Khan University Michael Meyer and Executive Director of KFW Bank, Mr Wolfgang Solsbacher, attended the dinner.

 

According to Dr Mengi newspapers are under constant censorship not to publish what is not wanted by the government.

He said journalists under oppressive and authoritarian governments are threatened with arrest or death for not reporting favourably on government actions.

 

Democracy should be protected and deepened so that government becomes 'of the people, by the people, for the people' and media should play their role of informing society, he said.

 

Media is the bridge between the people and the government through which discontent and consensus could be expressed.

According to Dr Mengi, exposure and dissemination of information by the media is a democratic role contributing to political stability and economic prosperity.

 

He asserted that political stability does not only bring prosperity at home but also in neighbouring countries.

 

This in turn spares the exodus of refugees that would otherwise be caused by national conflicts and instability.

 

On Burundi where rival military groups were battling for the  capital Bujumbura, in the wake of President Pierre Nkurunziza ouster bid due to his decision to run for a third term, Dr Mengi remarked "you cannot protect democracy by using undemocratic means." 

 

On the other hand Dr Mengi said media should condemn terrorism as an enemy of human rights and should not be treated as a religious issue.

 

“At this time of fear of terrorism, the media should set the agenda of religious tolerance and mutual understanding on different religions," he declared.

 

Terrorism is a big threat to peace, security and stability of East Africa states and their people, hence media practitioners should use their pen to condemn it, he said.

 

Dr Mengi said many horrible acts of destruction and murder are being committed by disgruntled or disillusioned individuals under the guise of religious warfare.

 

On East African individuals suspected of joining terrorist groups, Mengi said:  “These individuals are not terrorists since they have already confessed they were tempted by attractive offers by terrorist groups.”

 

He said such causes arise from problems that can be addressed and solved, insisting that each case of horrific destruction akin to terrorism should be investigated to establish its cause.

 

“If it is injustice, the rule of law should be improved or in poverty and unemployment cases policies should be formulated to address the challenges,” he stated.

 

Dr Mengi said people can become ultimate decision makers with power to judge and question implementation of those policies.

 

He said for this to happen vibrant media in each state is a must so as to provide factual information on policies and how they are being implemented.

 

Meanwhile, EABC Chair Felix Mosha said East African integration continued to widen despite challenges, and therefore reporters must ensure sustain broad coverage of the region.

 

He pointed that freedom of expression is the core foundation hence media must play its role effectively without being compromised.

 

Mosha said this can be achieved by creating an environment of independence for the media to operate.

"Freedom of expression is the core foundation," he emphasized.

 

Ambassador Richard Sezibera, the East African Community (EAC) Secretary General encouraged reporters to participate in the awards, saying the awards are meant to encourage journalists in the field.

 

"I encourage those who have not participated to submit their entrances next time," he told the gathering.

 

He also encouraged people who wish to support the fund to do so to help sustain the fund.

 

The awards oversaw 23 categories and 23 winners were awarded, whereby two reporters from Mwananchi and Citizen newspaper were awarded with the top prize.

 

The overall winner Joshua Masinde was awarded $1,000 equivalent to  Sh2million.