Veteran journalists have accused new generation of journalists of being responsible for the deterioration of quality in the Tanzania newsrooms. This was during the two-day annual broadcasting conference which started on February 13, 2024, at the Jakaya Kikwete Convention in Dodoma. The conference is organized by the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA).

In a bid to fight back against the violation of media ethics and falling journalistic qualities, veteran journalists formerly employed by the public broadcaster Radio Tanzania have formed their association which consists of about 256 members.

The veterans have criticized almost everything in the current media setup from the language used, prevalent topics, and etiquette in newsrooms to media leadership. They advocate for increased government oversight as a means to address these issues.

Burying the profession

In her reflection, the Former Director of Radio Tanzania, Eda Sanga unveiled the veteran mission in trying to shape journalism, “We will not allow for this profession to be buried while we are alive,” said Sanga who underscored that trust in media has reached it’s lowest point due to the lack of professionalism.

Several other veterans affirmed Sanga’s message and shared their experiences, especially of working with Radio Tanzania.

“Journalism ethics has been deteriorating, our broadcasting pride has been lost due to violation of broadcasting principles,” argued Angalieni Mpendu a former Radio Tanzania journalist. “Our profession has been invaded, we must return to control,” added Mpendu.

“Even the language used today is not appropriate, some of the stations are using street language,” continued Mpendu.

The lack of proper etiquette in broadcasting was also highlighted, “You are inside the studio, how can you talk like you are speaking to your friends outside, who is allowing you to laugh uncontrollably in a show that doesn’t require laughing”, asked Sango Kipozi.

Kipozi attributes former quality in journalism as the result of proper checks from media leaders and the three-month training that journalists had to undergo before getting into the newsroom.

While pledging to mentor young journalists, Kipozi emphasized the importance of regulation in the media sector. “Control is a good thing, we should not allow our young one to fall off the track,” emphasized Kipozi.

Media Economy

One factor that was identified as contributing to the declining quality of journalism is the lack of resources in the media sector.

“Proper journalism needs resources, many media houses do not have resources to fund their journalism,” argued Khalifa Said, The Chanzo’s Editor. Khalifa’s sentiment was echoed by veteran journalist Abdallah Majura.

“A journalist can’t adhere to media ethics if they are not paid well or paid on time; the result is resorting to receiving tokens here and there and writing according to the source’s demands,” argued Majura.

In his reflection, Majura insisted on the need to revamp training for journalists, Majura argued that at the moment, colleges and universities are more focused on newspaper journalism.

It was also noted that there was an influx of young reporters who got into the sector to chase opportunities offered online as a result of the lack of employment. Media experts argued that most of these recruits lack enough passion to give what it takes for proper journalism.

Push Back

Contributing to the proposals from the veterans of having more control and government intervention in the media sector, Khalifa Said who was part of the panel that discussed professionalism in media, argued that this would be the wrong way to solve the problem.

“I would like to push back on this idea of more control, if this was a solution then we would not be here, because the government has been strongly regulating media for years,” argued Said.

“I worry that if we continue to emphasize government control and crackdown by regulator the whole concept of media freedom will deteriorate and in the next ten years, we will come back here complaining,” continued Khalifa Said.

In his proposal, Said argued that media self-regulation should be emphasized and that this task should be left to bodies established by journalists themselves.

On his end, media pundit, Ronald Shelukindo who serves as a head of marketing for Multichoice argued that it’s impossible to find a solution by ignoring the current environment.

“In the past, Radio Tanzania was the only radio, so its agenda became a national agenda, and that’s what was transcended to schools, ethics was taught there and we all happily abide, as it was a way of life,” explained Shelukindo.

“At the moment technology has permuted every walk of life; people can create their content, share and receive feedback that they are doing well through likes on their social media.”

“We cannot find a solution for the present by relying solely on where we came from. There must be deliberate actions that consider the current environment to nurture people with the best foundations of understanding current circumstances,” emphasized Shelukindo