JOURNALIST SHOULD WALK ALONG THEIR LINE

CHRISOSTOM RWEYEMAMU

DEAN OF  SJMC DK MAKOYE ADRESSING STUDENTS

Journalists have been advised to stick to the ethical codes of conduct governing the profession, and the laws of the land in order to promote peace and harmony among Tanzanians.

 This was said by the Director of Training at New Habari Cooperation, Mr Chrisostomu Rweyemamu at the University of Dar es Salaam, School of Journalism and Communication (SJMC) during a panel discussion on the “Nurturing upcoming media professionals “a road map to professional and ethical practice.

Mr Rweyemamu

called upon the students of Journalism and related fields to put the public first in their activities and shun away from unethical practices like accepting bribes “brown envelopes” when reporting.

 He continued saying that journalist should not be intimidated or allow to be used by their employers nor politicians when issues with great importance to the nation arose.

On the side of the laws governing the media fraternity Mr Rweyemamu called upon journalist to observe the basic principles of journalism in their activities to avoid unnecessary clashes with the government and other media stakeholders.

The students at SJMC endorsed the Dar es Salaam Declaration of Editorial Freedom, Independence and Responsibility (DEFIR) by the Media Council of Tanzania (MCT) which stipulates the roles of all key players in the media for the best journalism that will contribute to a just and democratic society.

Among other burning issues that arose in the panel discussion was the poor payments that journalist received, and the poor employment conditions that the professionals faced where Mr Rweyemamu called upon the need for a strong  journalist trade union to address the challenges that the group faces.

SJMC STUDENTS