Samia to officiate 2nd National Media Sector Development Conference

By Paul Mallimbo

Dar es Salaam: Coalition on the Right to Information (CoRI), in collaboration with the Information Services (MAELEZO), a unit under the Ministry of Information, Communication, and Information Technology, has organized the 2nd National Media Sector Development Conference on June 18 and 19, 2024. The Media Council of Tanzania (MCT) is a chairperson of CoRI.

The conference, which is expected to bring together regulators, high-ranking government officials, policymakers, editors, media stakeholders from the region, and journalists, will discuss various media developments and cross-cutting professional issues in the region.

The conference will be graced by Her Excellency, the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan, and will be held at the Mlimani City Conference Centre in Dar es Salaam.

The theme of the conference is “Empowering Voices, Transforming Narratives: Building a Sustainable Future for the Media Sector in the Digital Age.”

Among other topics, the conference will discuss media regulatory frameworks and policy development. Under this topic, the Media Council of Tanzania Executive Secretary, Ernest Sungura, will discuss the importance of effective self-regulation and policies to drive sector growth.

His counterpart, Chief Executive Officer of the Media Council of Kenya, David Omwoyo, will discuss the role of self-co regulation and government regulations for a free and effective media, with a case study from Kenya.

Other topics will include media in a disrupted world (challenges and opportunities), media viability and sustainability, democracy and freedom of expression in the digital age, responsible reporting (opportunities and challenges), the growth of digital journalism and its role in promoting truth, good governance, and national unity.

The conference will also cover the revised education and training policy and curriculum, the role of media in reporting the election process, the role of community-based media in fostering local dialogue and representation (successes and challenges), and expanding connectivity to rural and underserved areas.

Additionally, the conference will explore the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence in the media, legal frameworks on the safety of journalists, the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists, and communication for national development.