MCT holds symposium and NGC in Zanzibar
For two days on June 19 and 20, 2012 the Media Council of Tanzania (MCT) held two important activities on its annual calendar in Zanzibar.
On day one - that is June 19 media practitioners and stakeholders, human rights activities and the civil society converged for the annual professional media whose theme was Promoting Media Professionalism, Independence and Accountability.
President Mrisho Jakaya Kikwete’s keynote address during the Excellence in Journalism Awards (EJAT) 2011 Gala Night on March 30, 2012 was dissected by participants after watching a replay of its recording.
The Zanzibar Minister for Information, Tourism, Culture and sports, Said Ali Mbarouk, launched the Kiswahili translations of the 2011 State of the Media Report and the Dar es Salaam Declaration on Editorial Freedom, Independence and Responsibility (DEFIR).
On June 20 delegates to the National General Convention (NGC) the highest organ of the Council met and deliberated on a number of crucial issues.
During the NGC, Executive Secretary of the Media Council, Kajubi Mukajanga, presented the annual report in which he pointed out that there was marked development in a number of activities carried by the Council.
He enumerated areas where the Council has made significant inroads include training in ethics and constitutional reform process.
There was also progress in the drive for the Right to Information legislations.
On professional training, the MCT Executive Secretary, appealed to media outlets to seek the demand driven training opportunities offered by MCT.
He said media outlets on the Mainland were lagging behind in utilizing the demand driven trainings compared to the isles.
The NGC among other things appointed RSM Ashvir as the new auditors of the Council Accounts after the previous auditors; Ernst &Young completed its mandatory three-year auditing of the council’s accounts.
The work plan for 2012 and the Council’s budget were also presented at the NGC.
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