THE government is prepared for increased collaboration with stakeholders in promoting press freedom to enable the media sector to contribute effectively to national development.

Prof. Palamagamba Kabudi, the Information, Arts and Sports minister, made this declaration at a stakeholders' meeting in Dar es Salaam yesterday, taking stock of the current state in regard to freedom of information, and how to strengthen cooperation between the government and the media.

He emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting the media, citing remarks by President Samia Suluhu Hassan that the media is not a competitor to the government but an essential stakeholder in national development. 

“It is vital for the government and the media to work together for the benefit of the country,” he said, underlining that the president’s remarks will guide the direction he will follow in supervising work at the ministry.

The growth of the media industry is among key achievements in the past few years, he said, reminding journalists of constitutional limits set out in Articles 18 and 30, which indicate that every right has boundaries.

He acknowledged the country’s image in the 2024 Global Media Report, pointing at the country’s progress in freedom of information, declaring that it is an achievement for which the profession and the public should be proud.

The government will be working closely with the media, ensuring that Tanzania remains high in global rankings for media freedom, while upholding the ethics of the profession, he stated.

Stressig the crucial role of journalists in gathering and disseminating information regarding developments in various sectors, he said that modern equipment is now available in district hospitals, clinics and dispensaries.

This was once confined to regional and referral hospitals, he said, urging that these improvements be reported in the media, while Gerson Msigwa, the permanent secretary, urged the media to collaborate with the government in educating the public about various development initiatives. 

The information sector plays a vital role in building a nation based on transparency, accountability and active citizen participation, he emphasised, while Deodatus Balile, the Tanzania Editors' Forum (TEF) chairman, expressed satisfaction with progress made in media freedom, while underlining that challenges remain.

"The government has established an Accreditation Board and plans to create an Independent Media Council, but the director of the Information Services Department still holds the power to shut down media outlets without consulting these bodies. This is a challenge that needs to be addressed," he asserted.

When journalists make mistakes, the government should pursue corrective action through the Independent Media Council or the Accreditation Board, rather than acting as both plaintiff and judge, he added.