Al Jazeera to Support JOWUTA in Providing Occupational Safety Training for Journalists and Investigative Reporting in Tanzania

The international broadcasting organization, Al Jazeera, has agreed to collaborate with the Journalists and Media Workers Union of Tanzania (JOWUTA) to provide training for journalists in workplace safety and investigative journalism.

This agreement was reached during an African journalists' internal meeting organized by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), in conjunction with the 77th Session of the African Commission on Human and People's Rights (ACHPR), which is currently taking place in Arusha.

Speaking at the meeting, Al Jazeera's Director of Social Affairs and Human Rights, Sami Elhag, stated that Al Jazeera is ready to assist Tanzanian journalists in their work. Elhag highlighted areas where they could provide support, including safety training for journalists, guidance on investigative reporting, and improving professional performance through knowledge exchange.

Elhag noted that journalists worldwide face numerous security challenges, and Al Jazeera's own journalists have encountered various challenges. This commitment from Al Jazeera came in response to a request from JOWUTA's Chairman, Mussa Juma, for Tanzanian journalists to have opportunities for training and exchange programs.

Juma pointed out that journalists in Tanzania face security challenges, especially when covering conflict zones, inadequate compensation, and a lack of sufficient skills for investigative reporting and disaster coverage.

Louis Thomasi, Secretary of IFJ, stressed that journalists around the world face security challenges at work, along with repressive laws. He emphasized the importance of providing security training and essential services, including compensation and supportive laws that promote press freedom and freedom of expression.

Thomasi called on African governments to have journalist-friendly laws that facilitate the work of journalists, thus contributing to the growth of democracy and development.

Additionally, Alfred Bulakali, a representative of the international organization A19, asserted that no nation can claim to be a democracy without freedom of the press and freedom of expression. He highlighted the importance of African governments providing press freedom.

Tanzania received praise at the meeting for its continuous efforts to improve the working conditions for journalists, including ongoing legal reforms to enhance freedom of expression and assembly.

Presenting at the conference, Assistant Director of Information at the Tanzanian Ministry of Information, Rodney Thadeus, mentioned that the Tanzanian government has been enhancing the environment for journalists and freedom of expression. President Samia Suluhu Hassan, upon taking office, initiated a review of media laws, and this process is proceeding well.

For journalists in Tanzania, there is now assurance of the freedom to work, and professional errors are no longer treated as criminal offenses. Additionally, an independent media council has been established, and a fund to support journalists' education has been initiated.

"the government continues to collaborate with media stakeholders in improving media laws and assures a favorable environment for journalists," Thadeus stated.

Regarding the training requests made by JOWUTA, Thadeus suggested that these programs should also include government information officers, as they work closely with journalists and often serve as both reporters and broadcasters who need training.

Lawyers Mary Mwita and Mgusuhi Maswi from the Pan-African Lawyers Union (PALU) stressed the importance of creating a safe working environment for journalists, especially for women journalists who have been victims of violence in the media industry. Mwita emphasized that journalists have often fallen victim to violence, making it crucial to continue building their capacity and ensuring that protective laws are in place.

Erick Oduor, Secretary of the Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ), emphasized the need for guidelines to oversee security and safety matters for journalists. He stated that Kenya already has such guidelines in place and is ready to collaborate with JOWUTA and other stakeholders to establish similar guidelines in their respective countries to enhance journalists' professional conduct.

In closing the meeting, the National Chairman of JOWUTA, Mussa Juma, thanked the journalists from various countries for their participation and assured them of peace and stability in Tanzania.

"Our meeting has been very productive, with discussions on vital issues for improving the media sector in Africa. More importantly, I am grateful to Al Jazeera for agreeing to support Tanzanian journalists," Juma said. He also praised the Tanzanian government for its efforts to improve the working environment for journalists, setting it apart from other nations. JOWUTA pledged to continue collaborating with the government and media stakeholders to ensure journalists work in a safe environment.