The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) has urged journalists and bloggers to uphold professionalism and avoid content that could incite conflict during the 2025 General Election.
The call was made in Dar es Salaam today during a capacity-building workshop for members of the Tanzania Bloggers Network (TBN), aimed at equipping them with the skills to report on the elections with accuracy, responsibility, and integrity.
TCRA’s Manager for Broadcasting Services, Engineer Andrew Kisaka, underscored the critical role of the media in maintaining national harmony during election periods.
“In times of political tension, journalists must carefully assess the information they publish to ensure it does not fuel disputes or threaten the peace and stability of our country,” he said.
Kisaka urged media practitioners to focus on educating voters, covering campaign activities objectively, reporting events on election day, and accurately broadcasting results as released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
University of Dar es Salaam lecturers, Dr. Engbert Mkoko and Dr. Darius Mukiza, emphasized the need for strict adherence to legal frameworks and vigilance against misinformation throughout the election period.
They stressed that the credibility of the media rests on accuracy and compliance with professional standards.
Representing the Acting Executive Director of the Journalists Accreditation Board (JAB), Advocate Patrick Kipangula, JAB officer Rehema Mpagama reminded journalists that they must be accredited and possess valid press cards before covering the elections. This, she noted, was essential to uphold professionalism and accountability.
The Head of Public Relations and Communication at the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC), Innocent Mungy, cautioned journalists about the increased risks of personal data breaches during the election season and urged them to prioritize the protection of private information in their reporting.
TBN Acting Chairperson, Beda Msimbe, thanked the Minister for Information, Culture, Arts, and Sports, along with Permanent Secretary Gerson Msigwa, for recognizing the role of TBN and supporting the workshop.
He also commended TCRA for organizing and coordinating the training, which he said was crucial in preparing bloggers to report on the elections with professionalism and ethical responsibility.
“For many years, TBN has served as a vital platform for Tanzanians to express their views, share experiences, and engage in constructive discussions on issues affecting our communities,” Msimbe said.
“Our duty is not only to deliver news but to ensure that it is accurate, ethical, and culturally respectful. We must reject and condemn those who spread false or inflammatory content that undermines our values and unity.”