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Sumaye calls for responsible journalism
2005-09-27 07:26:42
By Guardian Correspondent, Arusha
Prime Minister Frederick Sumaye has said the media have the responsibility of supporting their governments to ensure that elections are peaceful.
’The media in the SADC region have a role to play in ensuring that elections in our countries are peaceful’, Sumaye said when opening the 13th Southern African Broadcasting Association (SABA) general assembly in Arusha yesterday.
The theme of the conference is ’Promoting unity through broadcasting’ and is being hosted by Tanzania Broadcasting Services (TBS).
’We are all aware that the political atmosphere is normally charged during election period. Irresponsible journalism can easily ignite the charged atmosphere and cause regrettable consequences,’Sumaye said.
About unity, he said, ’ The mass media in Africa must constantly remind our people of the need to strengthen and sustain our unity so that they can always cherish and champion it.’
’Where unity is lacking, there is segregation along political, economic or social lines. Countries have plunged into civil strife due to disunity and mistreatment of one segment of the society by another,’ he said.
However, Sumaye said the media in Africa needs to be a two-way communication channel between the people and their leaders.
’We, as leaders of our continent, must use media to talk to the people. We must also use the mass media to listen and learn from the voices of the people,’ he said.
”The media must now provide a platform on which the leaders and the led can engage in more open and frank dialogue on issues of concern to our respective countries, Sumaye said.
Thirteen out of 15 member countries are taking part in the general assembly.
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