By Veronica Mrema
A comprehensive inspection exercise is currently underway across newsrooms in Tanzania, with the Journalists Accreditation Board [JAB] conducting region-by-region assessments to ensure that every individual working in the media sector meets the professional and legal requirements established by law.
JAB, the body mandated to oversee the accreditation of journalists and uphold professional standards within the media industry, has reiterated that it will not compromise on the required qualifications and ethical standards.
Meanwhile, journalists who have not yet met the professional requirements for accreditation have been encouraged to return to training institutions to enhance their skills, strengthen their capacity and attain the qualifications required under the current accreditation system.
The call was made by media stakeholders during a JAB Day discussion held at the Sabasaba grounds, within the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports pavilion.
The Chairperson of the Dar es Salaam Press Club [DAR-PC], Bakari Kimwanga, said journalists should view education as a tool for improving their professional capacity rather than a barrier to performing their duties.
“Journalists should see education as a means of strengthening their professional ability and not as an obstacle in carrying out their responsibilities,” Kimwanga said while contributing to the discussion.
He said diploma-level training and above can help journalists improve their skills, strengthen professionalism and meet the qualifications required under the accreditation system.
The view was supported by Elius Msuya, who said journalists can continue pursuing their studies while working in order to improve their professional capacity.
JAB Director General, Advocate Patrick Kipangula, said the Board is continuing with region-by-region inspections to ensure that those working in the media sector are individuals who meet the required professional and legal standards.
He said the inspection exercise has already been conducted in Dodoma, Iringa and Morogoro regions, where the Board verified that journalists working in those areas possess the required qualifications.
“We have started conducting inspections region by region to ensure that those who are working in the media sector have met the professional and legal requirements,” he said.
Kipangula said accreditation decisions are based on verification of applicants’ qualifications and requirements, adding that JAB has continued handling issues related to the implementation of the accreditation system.
He said the Board has so far handled 19 cases related to various accreditation matters.
He stressed that individuals who do not meet the required qualifications cannot return to journalism or broadcasting activities until they fulfil the established requirements.
The accreditation system continues to create an environment aimed at ensuring that the media sector has qualified professionals.
At the same time, journalists have continued to be encouraged to pursue continuous learning and make effective use of modern technologies to improve the journalism profession.
PHOTO By: Imani Nathaniel.
Chapisha Maoni