MCT cautions media: Don’t be judgmental
The Media Council of Tanzania has appealed to media outlets not to use judgmental headlines especially in sensitive cases.
Citing the current case in which Elizabeth Michael Kimemeta or Lulu appeared in court accused for the allegedly murder of famous film actor, Stephen Kanumba, the Council Ethics Committee said the way the case was reported was a breach of professional code of ethics.
The reports and even their headlines condemned the girl as the one who killed Kanumba.
According to the law, the MCT statement signed by the Chairperson of the Ethics Committee, Justice Thomas Mihayo said an accused is innocent until found guilty in a court of law.
It was pertinent the media to adhere to this principle in dealing with all cases before the courts.
The headlines in most papers were traumatizing and projecting the accused as a killer, which has not proved.
Justice Mihayo emphasizing on the importance of the media to abide by the professional code of ethics said it was better to release 10 people who are guilty than to condemn one person who is not guilty.
Justice Mihayo took time to explain how murder, manslaughter and accidents are perceived.
Murder is premeditated and if someone dies after a fight it could be manslaughter and an accident is if one falls in a bathroom and dies.
Initial reports indicate, the late Kanumba and Lulu had intimate relationship and the actor died after an alleged fight.
On his part the Executive secretary of the Media Council of Tanzania, Kajubi Mukajanga, said the Council would write to the editors of media outlets to express concern.
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