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Media crucial in poverty eradication - UN
2006-05-05 08:19:34
By Peter Tindwa
Press freedom is pertinent in the realisation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), among them eradication of poverty.
The United Nations Education, Science and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Country Director, Sheikh Teddiane Skie, also said there was need for every country to appreciate the importance of press freedom in the strive to eradicate poverty.
He made the remarks during the celebrations to mark the World Press Freedom Day, held in Dar es Salaam, on Wednesday.
He explained that millions of people in the world live below the poverty line. Skie, therefore, stressed on the importance to join the efforts of governments and the media in attaining the MDGs by the year 2015.
’’Freedom of expression can directly protect rights of others. Through press, the world has been kept well informed regarding events taking place in all parts of the world,’’ Skie stated.
Such events include those on political, economic and social aspects, the UNESCO country boss said.
’’In performing their professional duty of informing and entertaining, journalists have been victims of extra-judicial executions in the world,’’ said Skie who represented the UN Secretary General, Dr Kofi Annan.
He asked the governments to be vigilant, protect and investigate threats on the lives of journalists world over.
’’People who have been threatening life of journalists must be investigated and booked according to the law,’’ said the UNESCO country director.
Representing the Executive Director of the Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC), Dr Helen Kijo Bisimba, a lawyer from the centre, Haton Songusi, said there was need to review and amend the existing draconian laws that hamper press freedom in Tanzania.
MISA-TAN chairperson, Ms Wilhemina Balyagati, said the organisation in collaboration with Media Institutions in Southern Africa (MISA) have been at the forefront in advocating for the freedom of the press.
’’Press freedom must be regarded as a true way of struggling for genuine democracy and respect of human rights in Africa and the world at large,” said Balyagati.
World Press Freedom Day is marked on May 3 annually, in recognition of work of the media and its contributions in every country, region and the world at large.
In the meantime, MISA-TAN has awarded 2m/- each and certificates of recognition to five journalists for emerging winners in the Edward Moringe Sokoine Memorial Award.
Among the journalists who emerged victorious and awarded with 2m/- each and certificates of recognition were, Robert Okanda from This Day, Judica Losai of RTD and Saida Msumi of Channel O.
Others were Stella Barozi, and Sam Mwamkinga, both from The Citizen while Mwananchi Publishing House was awarded with a certificate of special recognition together with a trophy.
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