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Some reassessment vital for our media
2008-03-28 10:02:34
By Editor
All media practitioners worth their salt know that truth, accuracy, fairness and balance are among the hallmarks of quality journalism.
They also know that this is a feat impossible to achieve unless one is really committed to enviously safeguarding and promoting the profession, mainly through thorough but focused research and sound education and professional training.
Walter Williams, one-time dean of the University of Missouri`s School of Journalism, once urged journalists to write only what they held in their hearts to be true and was emphatic that no one should write as a journalist what he or she would not say as a gentleman.
Many other authorities on media practice concur with the American scholar that the journalism that best deserves success is one that is constructive, tolerant, self-controlled, patient and respectful of the people.
They say journalism is at its best when it detests and resists corruption and all other manifestations of injustice, seeks to give every person an equal chance, is profoundly patriotic, and is generally a journalism of humanity.
It is not easy for anyone to fully abide by this set of standards and ideals but the very nature of the profession makes it necessary for media stakeholders, particularly journalists, to do the most they can to be on top of things. Half-measures won`t do; false steps will be suicidal.
In a way, this sums up some of the remarks by President Jakaya Kikwete, Information, Culture and Sports minister George Mkuchika, Media Owners Association of Tanzania (MOAT) Chairman Reginald Mengi, and Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation Director General Dunstan Tido Mhando at Wednesday`s launch of the state-owned media house.
The observations by these very special representatives of our country`s political leadership, reading, listening and listening public, and media fraternity is a superbly timed reminder to all those engaged in journalism in Tanzania that the world cares about their work - and is closely watching.
As hinted, particularly by President Kikwete, Mengi and Mkuchika, media watchers expect little more from media practitioners in Tanzania than genuinely professional work.
Giant strides have already been made in that direction, with institutions like the Media Council of Tanzania having relentlessly sought to sensitise journalists, media owners and media houses on the fundamental importance of observing professional and social principles and ethics.
We have also witnessed the emergence all manner of local public and private institutions offering journalism and other media-related training at different levels, while rising numbers of media practitioners have been enrolling for journalism training and advanced education.
Thus, Tanzanians now know that it is no longer safe for the poorly educated and scantily trained to succeed in modern-day media work.
This done, all concerned should help in adding value to the education and training offered, making quality journalism flourish, and fairly rewarding excellence in the profession.
It was great comfort hearing President Kikwete, Mengi and Mkuchika all promising to see to it that these goals are achieved.
The media should not be found wanting in supporting the struggle. Ethics, education and training are for everybody.
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