President Samia champions media as key ally at National Symposium
President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan
By Saumu Mwalimu
Dar es Salaam. President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan has affirmed that the media is not an adversary but an essential ally in the nation’s development.
Dr. Samia said this during her compelling message at the second edition of the National Media Sector Development Symposium held on June 18 and 19, 2024, where she addressed over 1,200 participants in Dar es Salaam.
This landmark symposium, organized through a partnership between the Coalition on Right to Information (CoRI) and the Ministry of Information, Communication, and Information Technologies (MICIT), emphasized the critical role of media in promoting freedom of expression and fostering a conducive environment for progress.
President Hassan reiterated her commitment to freedom of expression, while inviting critics to voice their opinions, cautioning that opposing comments should not damage others’ reputations or cause harm.
She emphasized that the government’s role in establishing institutional systems, laws, and regulations to ensure a safe and conducive environment for the media to operate.
“This is because media is not an enemy of the government but an important ally toward the development of our country,” she said.
In her remarks, Dr. Samia urged the media to use the available space for freedom of expression responsibly, stating, “The government will play its role, and you too (media) have to safely play your role.”
She expressed concern about the slow pace of media adoption of technological advancements, emphasizing the need for caution to prevent the media from being carried away by the trends of social journalism.
“As much as it is important that the media sector keeps pace with technological change, it is imperative to remind ourselves that the pen is more harmful than the sword. Since the harm brought by a single story can be significant, it is necessary that the freedom and development of social media are carefully utilized,” she added.
President Hassan also stressed the need for journalists to write analytical news, pointing out that most media reports are currently event-based. “You should also focus on public interest news even if it does not make you famous,” she insisted.