The Chairman of the Media Institute of Southern Africa, Tanzania Chapter (MISA Tanzania), Edwin Soko, has underscored that the media’s primary responsibility is to build society, not to destroy it.
Speaking during a national training session for journalists, Soko urged media practitioners to focus on stories that foster unity and social cohesion, rather than those that deepen divisions or stir hostility.
“The media plays a key role in shaping public opinion, and with that influence comes a responsibility to report ethically and constructively,” Soko said.
He added that while some individuals are quick to criticize the media for not meeting their expectations, they must remember that the press is meant to inform and strengthen society, not to become a tool for personal or political agendas.
Soko emphasized that journalists should be allowed the freedom to perform their duties professionally, free from undue interference.
The training, which brought together 100 journalists from across the country, focused on enhancing skills in peace reporting and promoting peaceful coexistence.
MISA Tanzania continues to champion free, responsible, and professional media, highlighting its importance in sustaining democracy and fostering national development.
The initiative forms part of the organization’s broader efforts to encourage conflict-sensitive journalism and advance peacebuilding through responsible reporting.