THE Ministry of Information, Communication and Information Technology has pledged strong collaboration with various stakeholders, including media organizations and journalists, in conducting coverage of upcoming civic polls.

 Jerry Slaa, the minister, issued this assurance at a meeting with media sector stakeholders, indicating that he expects to meet with the Right to Information Coalition on Friday, grouping upwards of 16 institutions.

The minister sought to assure stakeholders of the government’s intention to protect a favourable environment for coverage of the civic polls preparations and voting exercise, as a torchbearer to the parliamentary and presidential elections next year.

The minister intends to hold meetings with activist organisations, saying there are 1,023 media institutions across the country, underlining that the media sector is cross-cutting and characterised by different orientations, all of which relate to policies, laws, regulations and statutory guidelines.

The statutory variations provide ample room for journalists to use the right to obtain and disseminate information without fear of criminal repercussions, he said, reiterating instructions from President Samia Suluhu Hassan on September 14.

“I have also appointed six members to a board that will assist with various issues in this sector, and this will open the way for us to establish an independent table and an evaluation fund for journalists," he said.

The ministry is coordinating the process of improving media policy, to enhance media sector professionalism, helping journalists to deliver accurate information in a timely manner and free to do so in accordance with the law, he elaborated.

Asserting that Tanzania has become a model for peace and strengthening national unity with media contribution, he emphasized that the ministry and the media are one family, that the ministry’s doors are open for suggestions that can help to build the sector.

Expressing determination to bring about reforms in the media sector, he pointed at policies and laws that need reform, insisting on listening to various media outlets to exchange experiences on how to improve the sector.

Deogratius Nsokolo, president of the Union of Tanzanian Press Clubs (UTPC) presented recommendations in relation to the civic polls and the general election.

Media outlets should be empowered to carry out their duties professionally without interference, and journalists be enabled to carry out their responsibilities in line with professional codes and guidelines, he said.

Media outlets should not be discriminated against based on religious or political views, and journalists need to be respected, he said. Media managers should oversee operations fairly, regardless of whether the outlet is public or private, he added.