The Journalists Accreditation Board (JAB) has formally cautioned Wilberforce Ngoto, a presenter, and Pascal Mayalla, a political analyst, over a broadcast aired on Jambo TV that violated professional journalism standards.
The Board reviewed a segment titled “Mwigulu hakufurahia akina Majaliwa kushangiliwa msibani” (Mwigulu was not pleased with Majaliwa being cheered at a funeral), aired on the morning program Jambo Asubuhi and widely shared online.
JAB found that the segment contained unverified claims and a headline that could be interpreted as a personal attack without sufficient evidence.
Both Ngoto and Mayalla acknowledged the errors and apologized, committing to uphold higher standards of professionalism in future reporting. The Board issued an official warning (Onyo), urging them to strictly adhere to ethical guidelines in all broadcasts.
JAB emphasized that the warning is not intended to suppress free expression but to protect the credibility and dignity of the journalism profession.
Under the Media Services Act (Cap 229), journalists are allowed to critique public figures, but such criticism must be truthful, verified, and free from personal attacks, in line with Section 52(2) of the law.
This move underscores Tanzania’s media regulators’ commitment to balancing press freedom with accountability, reminding journalists that professional ethics are central to responsible reporting.