Media stakeholders in Tanzania have said the journalists’ accreditation system has played a major role in restoring professionalism, accountability, and public trust in the journalism sector, by ensuring that reporting is guided by proper training, ethics, and recognized professional standards.
Speaking in separate interviews in Dar es Salaam, the stakeholders said the system implemented by the Journalists Accreditation Board (Tanzania) has strengthened awareness of journalism ethics and improved discipline among media practitioners across the country.
A journalist with AYO TV, Bakari Chijumba, said the accreditation system has helped elevate the status of journalism by ensuring that those practicing the profession have relevant skills and qualifications.
He said in the past, some individuals entered the media industry without proper training, which in some cases contributed to the spread of inaccurate information and ethical challenges.
He noted that the accreditation system has now created clear professional standards that help improve the quality and credibility of news reporting.
Chijumba added that journalism should be treated as a professional field that requires training, competence, and responsibility, stressing that accreditation has strengthened this understanding among media workers.
A presenter with TBC1, Alice Shayo, said media freedom remains important, but it must always be exercised alongside responsibility and respect for professional ethics.
She explained that journalists have a duty to ensure information is properly gathered, verified, and shared in a way that serves the public interest.
She added that adherence to professional standards helps protect citizens from misinformation and strengthens confidence in the media.
The Managing Director of Torch Media, James Salvatory, said the accreditation system has helped restore dignity to journalism by clearly recognizing it as a profession that requires education, skill, and ethical conduct, similar to other professional fields.
He said the system has also encouraged journalists to improve their competence and highlighted the important role of the media in supporting national development through accurate and responsible reporting.
He added that strengthening accreditation mechanisms will continue to improve professionalism in the media sector and ensure that the public receives reliable and trustworthy information.
Chief Information Officer Neema Mbuja said journalism requires formal training, practical skills, and strict adherence to ethical standards to ensure quality service delivery to citizens.
She said there is still a misconception among some people that basic literacy is enough to become a journalist, noting that the profession requires structured knowledge, discipline, and adherence to established guidelines.
Stakeholders concluded that continued strengthening of the accreditation system will improve the credibility of the media, enhance accountability among journalists, and ensure that the public receives accurate, ethical, and professional news content.
