“Ethical” Journalism and partisan politics in Tanzania

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?