The Journalists’ Accreditation Board (JAB) has said that implementing a certification system for journalists and media broadcasters in the country is a strategic move aimed at enhancing credibility, professionalism, and competitiveness in the media sector within today’s information-driven economy.
Speaking at the Annual General Meeting of Broadcasting Companies (ABC) held on February 13, 2026, in Dodoma, JAB’s Acting Director General, Advocate Patrick Kipangula, said the certification initiative aims to build a profession grounded in strong ethics, professional standards, and accountability under the Information Services Act, Chapter 229.
According to Advocate Kipangula, certification is not a tool to control content; rather, it is a process for setting standards that protect the integrity of the profession and strengthen public trust in media outlets. He emphasized that in today’s competitive digital environment, the credibility of a news source is a media outlet’s greatest asset.
He added that broadcasting companies that invest in the professionalism of their human resources position themselves favorably to attract investors, advertisers, and international partnerships, as the media market increasingly values quality and accountability.
Participants at the meeting, organized by the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), highlighted that collaboration between content regulators and industry stakeholders is a key pillar in building a resilient sector that drives both economic and social development.
The move to strengthen certification appears to be part of the government’s broader strategy to promote creative and communication professions at standards that meet national and international demands, while ensuring that the media sector remains a cornerstone of transparency, accountability, and sustainable development.
More than 3,200 journalists out of 3,900 applicants for press cards have been certified after meeting the legal requirements, demonstrating positive stakeholder response and the sector’s readiness to enhance professionalism.