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UNESCO Commends Government and Media Stakeholders for the Launch of Journalists' Accreditation Board in Tanzania
UNESCO commends the Government of Tanzania, media stakeholders, and civil society organizations for the successful launch of the Journalists' Accreditation Board, a significant milestone in strengthening media professionalism and press freedom in the country.
The launch of the Board marks a crucial step toward ensuring high journalistic standards, professional accountability, and the protection of media practitioners in Tanzania. UNESCO welcomes this development as part of broader efforts to promote freedom of expression, access to information, and the safety of journalists—key pillars of Sustainable Development Goal 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). Speaking at the event, Hon. Prof. Palamagamba Kabudi, Minister of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports stated that the establishment of the Board is a crucial step in strengthening professionalism in journalism, promoting accountability, and safeguarding journalists' rights.
Today is a historic day as we inaugurate the Journalists Accreditation Board, which has been stalled for eight years since its establishment under the Chapter 229 of the Media Services Act (2016). The Board aims to enhance professionalism, accountability, and the integrity of journalism in the country.
The Journalists' Accreditation Board will serve as a regulatory body tasked with overseeing the registration, accreditation, and professional conduct of journalists. This initiative aims to uphold ethical journalism practices, combat misinformation, and enhance public trust in the media sector.
UNESCO recognizes the role of the Government through the responsible Ministries and the Directorate of Information Services in making this initiative a reality, and acknowledges the collaborative efforts of media associations, press clubs, and civil society actors in advocating for an accreditation system that aligns with international standards. By introducing a structured accreditation process, the Board will provide legal recognition and protections for journalists, ensuring their rights and safety are upheld.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts, and Sports and the Government Chief Spokesperson, Mr. Gerson Msigwa, stated that the establishment of the Journalists Accreditation Board is not intended to restrict people from joining the journalism profession but rather to ensure the provision of quality services in the sector.
Speaking at the Board’s inauguration ceremony today, Mr. Msigwa revealed that a recent study conducted by his Office found that journalism training institutions in Tanzania produce approximately 500 journalists annually, highlighting the need for capacity-building to enhance their skills and professionalism.
Our recent study found that our institutions produce more than 500 journalists each year. Studying is one thing, but these individuals need further capacity-building to ensure they deliver quality work
He emphasized that this group of professionals is crucial and should be prioritized to ensure the production of high-quality journalism
There is a growing number of young people in the industry, many of whom hold journalism degrees but are not in the mainstream media. Where do you think they will go? The Accreditation Board will help improve their skills and ensure that the content produced is of high quality. We must work together to support them.
He further stressed the importance of equipping journalists with the necessary skills, as many of them work in private online media platforms, ensuring that they produce quality content that aligns with professional journalism standards. Mr. Msigwa also encouraged journalists to utilize the board as a vital institution for all matters related to the journalism profession in Tanzania.
In the digital age, where information spreads rapidly across multiple platforms, the Journalists' Accreditation Board plays a crucial role in equipping media professionals with the skills needed to navigate an evolving media landscape. With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), digital journalism, and ICTs, it is essential for journalists to be trained in media and information literacy (MIL), fact-checking, and the ethical use of AI to enhance the quality, accuracy, and independence of reporting. By fostering responsible digital journalism, the Board can help combat misinformation, strengthen public trust in the media, and ensure that journalists uphold professional ethics while leveraging technology to improve news delivery and storytelling. This initiative aligns with global efforts to create a resilient, well-informed, and digitally literate media sector, capable of holding power to account while embracing technological advancements responsibly.
UNESCO remains committed to working with the Government of Tanzania and media stakeholders to strengthen media governance, enhance journalist safety, and promote access to information, providing technical and policy support, capacity-building programs, and to reinforce media freedom, ethical reporting, and gender-responsive journalism in Tanzania.
