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Uncooperative bureaucrats setback for the media -Mengi
2006-04-08 09:41:49
By Gerald Kitabu
Lack of cooperation by some government executives to disseminate information wherever needed has been a great setback to the media in conveying information which is the right of people to receive.
Bureaucratic procedures and unwillingness by some government officials have made the task of promoting awareness, education and democracy to people by the media difficult.
The IPP Executive Chairman Reginald Mengi made the remarks yesterday in Dar es Salaam at a luncheon he hosted to military student officers and staff from Command and Staff College in Arusha who concluded a seven-day domestic study visit in Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar.
Nonetheless, Mengi urged local media to be patriotic in reporting, saying matters of national interest should be treated with special care.
He said not each and everything should be reported, the media must protect our culture and live by principles and ethics of the journalistic profession, adding that a good journalist must be objective when dealing with sensitive issues.
’It is not ethical at all to report something which would jeopardize or harm our national unity and integrity, the media has an obligation to report issues of public interests,’ observed Mengi.
Addressing a total of 42 student officers and staff from seven different African countries, namely Kenya, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, South Africa, Namibia and Malawi, Mengi also paid tribute to the fourth phase government for promoting media freedom in the country.
He also said one of the tasks of the media was the fight against corruption which he said was a threat to development.
He pointed out that corruption and development are the two enemies which cannot stay together, adding that it is also difficult to identify and expose corrupt people because sometimes one could lose his life.
Said he: ’Corruption is an enemy of economy, and the two cannot stay together, it is therefore another obligation of the media, government executives and the public at large to cooperate in the fight against it at all cost.’
In his vote of thanks, Lt Col Kalyangu from Zambia paid tribute to Reginald Mengi for being in the frontline to support community issues.
He said Mengi has demonstrated that sense of humanity right from his heart, his determination and performance has been for the benefit of all people.
’From my experience, Mengi is among very few businessmen who can take part of their profit and donate to others in dire need,’ said Col Kalyangu.
’We are now able to see Big Brother in Europe because of an indigenous person like you, really you have shown a high level of commitment and willingness to help others, what you have shared with us will go a long way in helping us to research our souls,’ he said amid applause from the rest.
During the Occasion, Mengi was presented with a Special College Plaque award by the military group in his honour, by the College Commandant and head of the military delegation, Brigadier General F.N. Ulomi.
The military delegation which visited various public and private institutions in Dar es salaam and Zanzibar left yesterday for Arusha.
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