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UNESCO, Union of Tanzania Press Clubs, and Tanzania Police Force Host Roundtable on Safety of Journalists
A stakeholders’s roundtable session was organized by UNESCO, the Union of Tanzania Press Clubs, and the Tanzania Police Force, on 23 September 2024, which brought together key stakeholders from media, government, and civil society, focused on strengthening the protection of journalists in the country. The roundtable emphasized the pressing need to address both physical threats and the growing challenge of online violence, particularly targeting women journalists.
During the session, Nancy Angulo, UNESCO National Programme Officer, presented on the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists, outlining its global framework for protecting media workers and ensuring freedom of expression. The Plan emphasizes the role of governments, media organizations, and civil society in creating a safer environment for journalists to operate without fear of violence or censorship.
Journalist safety is crucial for safeguarding democracy, as they play a key role in ensuring transparency and accountability in governance
One of the key highlights of the roundtable was the discussion of the upcoming National Plan of Action for the Safety of Journalists in Tanzania. This plan, currently in the development phase, will align with international standards and the UN Plan of Action. It aims to create a comprehensive framework to enhance journalist protection, including safety mechanisms, legal support, and collaboration with law enforcement agencies. Special focus will be placed on addressing the rise of online violence, particularly against women journalists, who are increasingly being targeted with harassment and threats on digital platforms.
The issue of online violence against women journalists was presented as a critical area that will be addressed within the framework of the National Plan of Action. The session highlighted the need for gender-sensitive strategies to combat online harassment, including digital security training for women journalists and stronger legal frameworks to hold perpetrators accountable for cyber violence. The National Plan will provide a structured framework to tackle these challenges and ensure the safety of women in the media.
The session highlighted the importance of a multi-stakeholder approach in addressing both traditional and digital threats to press freedom.
The open dialogue between media practitioners and the police force, contributed to strengthening collaboration in preventing violence against journalists and improving national mechanisms for reporting and responding to threats.
