MCL partners with TMF to elevate impact journalism

Dar es Salaam. Mwananchi Communication Limited (MCL), on Friday 23 February, 2024, signed an agreement with the Tanzania Media Foundation (TMF) to elevate the quality of its news content through impactful journalism.

This move aligns with MCL's desire of empowering the nation.

The partnership agreement signed allows the two sides to form a special unit called Tija Desk which will now focus on producing accountability stories which impact people’s lives.

MCL Managing Director, Mr Bakari Machumu stressed the company's dedication to enhancing the quality of news content amidst a competitive digital landscape which is swamped with unreliable information.

 “As a media outlet focused on digital information gathering, processing, and dissemination, we have observed a competitive online environment surrounded by unreliable and unhelpful content. Public interest journalism will distinguish our products in the market,” he said.

With the establishment of the Tija Desk which focuses on impact journalism across key sectors such as education, health, environment, investment, and politics, Mr Machumu said MCL aims to transcend the mediocrity prevalent in online platforms, directly addressing the populace's concerns.

The agreement signifies a pivotal step towards bolstering the skills of MCL journalists in news gathering, processing, and dissemination, ensuring sustainable and high-quality journalism.

"The collaboration enables us to live up to our mission of empowering the nation," he said.

"As we sign this contract, we signify our commitment to continue working together to train our journalists and ensure that at the end of the day, there is sustainable and high-quality journalism," he added.

TMF Executive Director, Mr Dastan Kamanzi hailed the agreement as a milestone, emphasising that non-profit yet impactful journalism, resonates with the public, consequently fostering trust in media entities.

"This is non-profit but profitable journalism. It touches people's lives, thus making MCL continue to win public trust," he said.

Citing alarming statistics regarding the dwindling quality of media content and the scarcity of impact journalism, both leaders affirmed MCL's pivotal role in championing results-oriented journalism, thereby empowering the nation with reliable and insightful news coverage.

Mr Kamanzi cited a recent study by the DW Academy that showed that citizens no longer trust the media due to the lack of quality content that addresses their questions.

He also mentioned that the University of Dar es Salaam's research on the quality of media content for the years 2018, 2019, and 2022 showed a decline in quality.

He also said another assessment found that only four percent or less of the content covered public interest stories.

"Therefore, with this agreement, MCL is set to become a champion for results-oriented journalism, and thus it will be incomparable. This is the main goal," he said.