By Kizito Makoye, DAR ES SALAAM Tanzania
When I
saw Manyerere Jackton, a seasoned Tanzanian journalist dressed in an olive
green combat with a medal emblazoned in national colours, proudly hanging on
his chest; expressing interest as a parliamentary candidate for his native
Butiama constituency, I raised my eyebrows. I was not alone!
Manyerere Jackton (R) |
Kajubi Mukajanga, Executive
Secretary of the Media Council of Tanzania, has also been taken by surprise,
thus urging journalists who have expressed interest in politics to quit the
profession.
Manyerere, an obedient cadre of
the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi(CCM), and a co-proprietor of a leading
investigative newspaper Jamhuri, is
among some journalists who have shown interest in politics this year.
I support Kajubi’s point of view,
albeit with some reservations.
As Kajubi says, journalists have
no business on the playing field of politics.
Of course, they are entitled to
vote, but they must do nothing that might raise doubts about their professional
neutrality.
For example, they may not
campaign for, or endorse candidates, or themselves display any other insignia
of partisan politics such as wearing green regalia as Manyerere conspicuously
did.
No working Journalists may seek
public office anywhere.
As New York Times Editorial Board puts it “Seeking or serving in public office plainly violates the professional detachment expected of a journalist.” It poses a risk of having the reporter’s political views imputed to his paper, and can sow a suspicion of favouritism in his paper’s political coverage when one of its staff is an active participant.
Reporter for ITV, Idda Mushi (R) with other aspirants
The Media Council of Tanzania an
independent, voluntary organisation, purporting to promote freedom of the media
and ensure the highest professional media standards and accountability, has not
always been forthright in that regard.
This organisation, striving to
“create an enabling environment for ethical journalism” that “contributes to a
democratic and just society”, oftentimes turned a blind eye on blatant ethical
transgressions committed by individual journalists even by some newspapers
especially when such flaws touch interests of those in the echelons of POWER.
The Media Council has often acted
like a “wimp”, cowardly rebuking journalists and newspapers known for yellow
journalism, but it almost certainly failed to take any tangible actions beyond
caressing the bullying authorities.
We know that the role of a
journalist is to cover news as impartially as possible—“without fear or
favour.” The professional reputation of a journalist and his/her newspaper
rests upon such perceptions and an interest in avoiding conflict of interest.
As gate keepers, editors MUST
jealously guard their newspapers’ integrity and ensure that integrity is not
blemished during their stewardship.
Sadly, most editors, including
Manyerere conspicuously demonstrate partisanship. Who cannot dispute they are
driven by insatiable appetite for MONEY and POWER?
As a non-statutory body, the
Media Council of Tanzania has dismally failed, and in fact it does not have
what it takes to mould ethical behaviour of journalists beyond mediating and
cowardly whipping errant journalists like school kids in their khaki shorts.
I strongly believe, journalists,
in keeping with solemn responsibilities, MUST strive to maintain the highest
standard of journalistic ethics.
While, reporters, editors and
even media managers, should be free to work and earn extra incomes in ways
separate from their journalism work, before engaging in such works they MUST
exercise mature professional judgement and ensure the stake they all have in
the irreplaceable duty to abide by the codes of professional conduct.
NEED WE SAY MORE?
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