(MISA/IFEX) – The following is a 2 May 2006 MISA-Tanzania press release: MISA Communiqué (World Press Freedom Day, Tanzania) MISA-Tanzania makes case for greater information flow The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) – Tanzania has asked the government to increase the flow of information to the public to promote good governance. MISA Secretary-General, Mrs […]
(MISA/IFEX) – The following is a 2 May 2006 MISA-Tanzania press release:
MISA Communiqué (World Press Freedom Day, Tanzania)
MISA-Tanzania makes case for greater information flow
The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) – Tanzania has asked the government to increase the flow of information to the public to promote good governance.
MISA Secretary-General, Mrs Jamillah Mwanjisi, told a press conference on April 29, 2006, in Dar es Salaam that information empowers people to participate effectively in development.
“An effective information flow and access to information by media would make citizens’ participation in important development issues more effective.”
However, she said Tanzania was one of the few African countries that painstakingly takes efforts to enhance freedom of the press and freedom of expression.
The World Press Freedom Day is marked on Wednesday, May 3. MISA made the call as part of the celebrations to mark the day. The day has been set aside to reflect on the fundamental principles of press freedom and freedom of expression at the global level.
“The establishment, maintenance and fostering of an independent, pluralistic and free press is essential to the development and maintenance of democracy in a nation, and for economic development,” she said.
“MISA strongly believes that the drawbacks and challenges of our governments to eradicate poverty require that the media take a greater role in imparting knowledge and ideas and raising awareness on issues hindering development such as corruption, environmental degradation and gender inequality.”
The WPFD is marked annually since 1991. In that year the Windhoek Declaration was signed and adopted at a UN seminar promoting an independent and pluralistic African Press.
The declaration states: “The establishment, maintenance and fostering of an independent, pluralistic and free press is essential to the development of democracy in a nation, and for economic development.”
The WPFD serves as a reminder to all stakeholders of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom, and a day of reflection among media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics.
This year’s WPFD theme is: “Media and Good governance: a mutually reinforcing relationship”. In Dar es Salaam, it will be commemorated by participants attending a workshop at Ubungo plaza on Wednesday.
