Bomani to media: Here’s your role Bomani tells Media
Former Attorney general, Judge Mark Bomani
What you need to know:
Speaking at the commemoration of the World Press Freedom Day here yesterday, Judge Bomani, who has maintained close relations with media for a long time, stressed that Tanzanians needs more than information in order to enable them make appropriate decisions on their destiny.
Arusha. Media should focus more on educating the citizen as it seeks to play its pivotal role in the country’s development process, a former Attorney general, Judge Mark Bomani, has said.
Speaking at the commemoration of the World Press Freedom Day here yesterday, Judge Bomani, who has maintained close relations with media for a long time, stressed that Tanzanians needs more than information in order to enable them make appropriate decisions on their destiny.
He noted for instance that during the constitution-making process, media is supposed to be in the forefront in educating people on the real meaning of having a new major law with a difference which is important in reshaping their lives.
“If we want a new constitution, it should bring new things. If you want a new constitution but insists on having the same issues in the major law, what is the point of demanding a new constitution?” he asked, noting that people should be enlightened on these issues for them to understand the changes proposed in the draft constitution.
On the other hand, Judge Bomani, who once served as chairman of the Ethics Committee of the Media Council of Tanzania (MCL) , expressed dismay over the government’s failure to enact a new media law.
“When I was serving at MCT, I participated in the drafting of a new law which does not bring anything new, other than creating a conducive environment for media operations in the country… it is unfortunate that more than ten years have passed and the draft law has not seen the doors of the National parliament,” he said.
his sentiments were shared by other speakers at the event jointly organized by the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA TAN), MCT), Tanzania Editors Forum (TEF) and Tanzania Media Fund (TMF) with sponsorship from Tanzania National Parks Authority (Tanapa), Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA) to name but a few.
TEF chairman, Mr Absalom Kibanda, said for instance that lack of the law has subjected editors in the country and journalists to working in hostile environments at the same time bearing blames resulting from their work.
