|
Isles opposition wants state to ’unshackle’ media
2006-07-19 09:53:50
By Issa Yussuf, Zanzibar
Opposition parties in Zanzibar’s House of Representatives have called on the government to be tolerant to divergent views by allowing private media a free hand in what they want to air or publish.
They said freedom of the Press was key to expanding the democratic space on the Isles.
The call was made on Monday by shadow Minister for Information, Culture and Sports Najma Khalifan in her contribution to the ministry’s 2006/07 budget.
The government has set aside 2.4bn/- for the ministry.
She said the media had failed to embrace diverse views, besides being non-representative of all Zanzibaris. She said state-owned media had failed to air ’’people’s views and are often biased.’’
’’State-owned media in Zanzibar have been compromised by the government in power. This has been a major hindrance to the development of independent media and the freedom of expression on the Islands. We need reforms,’’ Khalfan said.
The shadow minister observed that current policies do not leave room for serious private media, ’’you have to lean to the ruling party to survive.’’
Zanzibar has four private FM radio stations – Coconut, Maria, Adhana and Zenji, and two cable television networks. Print media is owned by the state.
Khalifan also raised concern over substandard performance of the department of information - Maelezo, Radio - Sauti ya Tanzania Zanzibar (STZ), Televisheni ya Zanzibar (TVZ) and state-owned paper Zanzibar Leo.
She alleged that state-owned media are biased and inclined to promoting hatred instead of uniting Zanzibaris.
’’Every country has its own culture that must be respected. Unfortunately, our public media undermine our culture,’’Khalifan said and gave the example of scantily dressed women dancing on TVZ.
About the dilapidated Zanzibar Government Printing Press, the shadow minister said it was a shame that the government owed the printing facility millions of shillings. She said that for media to institute reforms, the government must pay the money it owes the printing press.
It must also train media practitioners, including journalists in Zanzibar trained and pay them well, she said.
’’We need good policies, respect divergent opinion and state-owned media must allow the right to reply,’’ Khalifan said.
Hajji Mkema Hajji (CCM, Koani) also told the government to give allowances and facilities to journalists in public media ’’as a motivation of their good work.’’
Se also called for a reduction in the rates charged on obituaries and announcements.
The Minister for Information, Culture and Sports Ali Juma Shamhuna said training of staff was one of top priorities of this year’s budget.
The information ministry groups the departments of culture, sports STZ, Maelezo, Printing Press, Zanzibar Leo and broadcasting commission.
The minister said the ministry’s portfolio was expanded following the October 2005 general election.
In the past, sports and culture were under the ministry of education, while information was under the Chief Minister’s office.
|
