CORI resolves to beef-up its activities
The Coalition on the Right to Information (CoRI) bringing together media stakeholders and Civil Society Organizations, has resolved to strengthen its activities for year 2019.
Meeting under its chairperson, the Executive Secretary of the Media Council of Tanzania, Kajubi Mukajanga, on February 7, 2019 CoRI members resolved to increase its membership base, a move that is expected to boost its public engagement.
Other activities included in the CoRI aspirations and plans include to increase engagement with government.
It also resolved to formulate a steering committee to follow-up on its decisions.
The meeting attended by CoRI member organizations – MCT, Tanzania Media Women Association (TAMWA), Jamii Forum , Sikika and Legal and Human Rights Centre, was also briefed the coalitions activities for 2018.
Members were briefed on the Coalition’s participation in various meetings, issues of litigation with case updates – two cases on Media Services Act whose appeal is pending in Mwanza High Court and ruling of another case is due at the East Africa Court of Justice.
The meeting was also told of an appeal by media stakeholders to higher court after the High Court in Mtwara dismissed an application challenging the Online Regulations of Electronic and Postal Communication Act (EPOCA).
Meeting participants were also briefed on the cases filed by newspapers – Raia Mwema, Mawio and and Mwanahalisi.
It was emphasesd to CoRI members that litigation is costly.
The meeting was also briefed that CoRI members from TAMWA and Sikika attended a meeting with the Minister for Constitution and Legal Affairs the Media Council during which a proposal was forwarded for the Council to train government official on the Access to Information Act.
Meeting chairperson Mukajanga said the matter was further discussed when MCT met with the Minister in Lushoto, Tanga last November and that the Council was awaited to put forward final proposals.
The next Cori meeting is scheduled for early April, 2019.