MCT brings legal and ethical training to Unguja

Unguja: The Media Council of Tanzania (MCT) will on Monday, September 8, 2025, conduct a series of high-level training sessions in Unguja to strengthen the professional and legal capacity of editors and journalists ahead of the 2025 General Elections.

The events, supported by International Media Support (IMS), are part of a nationwide initiative that has already reached media professionals in Arusha and Mwanza. With the Unguja chapter, MCT will have reached a total of 60 journalists through its legal clinics and 40 editors in mis/disinformation and hate speech training.

The Zanzibar sessions are therefore expected to draw strong participation as the country heads into a decisive election season.

The program begins with the editors’ training, scheduled for September 8–9, 2025 at the ZSSF Hall, Michenzani Mall. More than 30 editors representing radio, television, newspapers, and online platforms will sharpen their editorial leadership skills.

Sessions will focus on ethics and accountability in election reporting, understanding legal frameworks, using digital verification tools to fight false information, and developing newsroom strategies for election preparedness.

Renowned media trainers including Saleh Yussuf Mnemo, Shadida Omar, Daniel Mwingira, and Salim Salim will facilitate the sessions, combining practical knowledge with real-world case studies tailored to the Tanzanian media landscape. The sessions are expected to be officially opened by the MCT Executive Secretary, Ernest Sungura.

Following this, from September 10–11, 2025 MCT will host Legal Clinics for Journalists at its offices in Mwanakwerekwe.

More than 20 journalists are expected to benefit from direct legal support provided by experts Shadida Omar (THRDC), Hassan Kijogoo, and Thabit Juma. The clinics will cover media laws, the right to access information, and practical legal protection for journalists facing lawsuits or workplace challenges.

MCT says the two events are designed to ensure editors are well-prepared to counter misinformation and hate speech, while journalists on the ground gain vital legal awareness and direct support.

“These interventions reflect our commitment to ethical journalism and safeguarding press freedom during this critical election period,” said MCT in a statement.

The Zanzibar training marks another important milestone in MCT’s nationwide mission to prepare Tanzania’s media for the 2025 elections. By extending its reach to Arusha, Mwanza, and now Unguja, MCT is equipping professionals across regions with the tools and confidence to serve the public with accuracy, fairness, and integrity as the nation heads toward the polls.