Media freedom must be exercised with professionalism, ethical conduct and a strong understanding of the law if journalists are to effectively protect citizens' rights and contribute to social development, a senior member of the Journalism Accreditation Board (JAB) has said.
Speaking during a training programme for journalists in Tarime District, Mara Region, on Tuesday, JAB board member and advocate Ladislaus Komanya said the digital age has expanded opportunities for information sharing but has also heightened the responsibility of journalists to ensure accuracy, fairness and accountability.
The training, organised by the Ministry of Constitutional and Legal Affairs, focused on strengthening journalists' capacity to report on legal issues, human rights and gender-based violence.
Presenting a paper on Media Freedom in the Digital Era: The Role of the Journalism Accreditation Board, Mr Komanya said freedom of the press should always be accompanied by a commitment to verify information, uphold professional ethics and respect the law.
He noted that journalists play a critical role in shaping public understanding of legal matters and access to justice, making credibility and accuracy indispensable elements of their work.
“Journalists must uphold professional standards, ethical principles and legal requirements to ensure the information they disseminate contributes to justice, social progress and the wellbeing of citizens,” he said.
Mr Komanya urged media practitioners to use digital technologies responsibly, warning that the speed of information dissemination should not come at the expense of accuracy.
He particularly stressed the need for thorough verification when reporting on legal proceedings, human rights concerns and issues affecting vulnerable groups, arguing that responsible reporting strengthens public trust in both the media and justice institutions.
Opening the training, Tarime District Commissioner Major Edward Gowele said the programme would help improve the quality of legal reporting and enhance public awareness of citizens' rights.
He observed that the growing number of gender-based violence cases reported through legal channels calls for stronger engagement by journalists in educating communities and supporting efforts to curb the problem.
“Effective use of the knowledge acquired through this training will improve public understanding of legal aid services, highlight achievements and bring attention to challenges facing our communities,” he said.
The training coordinator from the Ministry of Constitutional and Legal Affairs, State Attorney Athumani Msosole, said journalists need specialised skills to report accurately on legal issues and human rights violations, as well as on interventions undertaken by authorities to address them.
He said responsible reporting on legal matters contributes significantly to increasing public awareness of rights and access to legal aid services.
Tarime Journalists Association chairman Jacob Karoli described the training as timely, saying it would strengthen journalists' ability to cover legal affairs with greater accuracy and professionalism.
A total of 40 journalists from Tarime District are participating in the programme, which seeks to equip them with the knowledge and skills required to serve as advocates for legal literacy, human rights awareness and the fight against gender-based violence in their communities.
