Be courageous, media challenged

MINISTER of Labour and Employment, Ms Gaudentia Kabaka, on Friday launched the Tanzania Media Fund (TMF) fellowship Programme' with a call for journalists to be courageous, objective, creative, and make thorough investigations for a stable nation and to speed up development.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony held at Serena Hotel in Dar es Salaam, Ms Kabaka said the nation needs the media to address various challenges including combating drug abuse, gender based violence, unemployment, and for the promotion of accountability.

"You have an important role in nation building. Be courageous as there is a lot to investigate and the results help in finding solutions," said Ms Kabaka as she emphasised the respect of human rights, and observation of ethics and laws. She said journalists can educate and reform the nation if they used their skills well.

The minister thanked development partners and TMF for their initiative in helping to build a responsible media as the TMF director Mr Ernest Sungura informed the audience that his office is happy with the outcome of the project.

"We are happy with the development of the media and journalists since TMF started supporting them in 2008. Our target now is to have specialisation in various fields," said Sungura.

The fellowships covered, extractives industries, Gender Based Violence (GBV), drug trafficking and abuse, television production for senior journalists, and women broadcasters