MPs endorse Media Services Bill

 

FINALLY, a new era dawned in the country yesterday as the National Assembly endorsed the Media Services Bill, 2016, which, among others, will transform journalism from an occupational to a professional industry.

Immediately after the endorsement, the Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Mr Nape Nnauye, called upon stakeholders to bury their differences which arose during the process of preparing the Bill and focus on formation of regulations that will enable it to serve the industry as required. 

 

Winding up the debate on the Bill here, Mr Nnauye said journalists are now set to enjoy the freedom of their operations once it becomes an Act that will guide the industry and bring to an end the Newspaper Act of 1976. 

He said the Bill has clearly outlined the roles of journalists, media owners and printers with professional bodies to be formed to ensure they operate as they should.

"At times, I found it illogical when some people said they found no difference between this Bill and the Newspaper Act of 1976. This is not true unless we are playing politics," said the minister. He said the new Bill has taken away some of the powers of the minister.

They are now vested in the Independent Media Council and the Board of Accreditation. The minister will only remain with authority in matters of national security and public safety.

Journalists, he said, will now be liable for any content distortion when the matter is in court whereas printers have been cleared in printing seditious content, taking into consideration the technological advancement in the industry.

On the Independent Media Council (IMC), Mr Nnauye said the government will have no hand in its formation. He added that conflicts of interest are what has prompted the complaints

. “Let me be clear, the Media Council of Tanzania (MCT) which is an NGO is defending its interests because by the formation of the Independent Media Council, it will cease to exist and it is funded by a number of donors,” he said. 

He said even the composition of the Board of Accreditation, four out of the seven members will be journalists in order for fairness to be exercised. Mr Nnauye defended the Bill which he said will transform not only the welfare of the media practitioners but also the industry as well. No one should be worried, he said.

He said stakeholders were involved in all stages of the writing of the Bill and their views were accommodated before they were handed to the Cabinet for endorsement, ready to be tabled in Parliament.

Debating, the Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Dr Harrison Mwakyembe, said the Bill will make the journalists strive for professionalism and integrity.

“There is a professional crisis in the media industry in the country. The Bill will take care of the problem. The majority of journalists lack the basics. As a result we have personnel who do not fit in,” he told the National Assembly.

He said the Accreditation Board for that matter is critical. He said it will reshape and discipline the profession as it will come up with the level at which one can be allowed to practise.

“Let us be sincere, Journalism is a profession, like it is the case with accountancy and law. You can study law but you can’t be an advocate or be an accountant. You cannot be allowed to sign certified documents,” said Dr Mwakyembe.

The Attorney General (AG), Mr George Masaju, said they have made a number of amendments as proposed by the Members of Parliament (MPs) as they aim to have the best Media Services Act.

Addressing a press conference later yesterday, Minister Nnauye urged media stakeholders to put aside differences that emerged during the Bill preparation.

 Instead, he said they should forge unity and solidarity in a quest to improve media industry which is an important pillar for pushing the country’s socioeconomic development.

HIGHLIGHT

• Establishment of the Board of Accreditation
• Independent Media Council l Printer out of seditious content charges
• Health and risk insurance for journalists l Journalists' dress code 
• Fast-tracking of defamation cases l Journalists being liable for content distortionS Establishment of the Board of Accreditation 
• Independent Media Council l Printer out of seditious content charges 
• Health and risk insurance for journalists
• Journalists' dress code l Fast-tracking of defamation cases l Journalists being liable for content distortion