By Our Correspondent, Mwanza
The Resident Representative of the non-governmental organization Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) in Tanzania, Peter Koch, has commended journalists for their commitment to promoting democracy and good governance. He emphasised that the media plays a crucial role in a democratic governance system.
Speaking at the closing of a one-day training held in Mwanza—which is part of a series of capacity-building trainings organised by Media Brains and funded by KAS to equip journalists with knowledge on election-related laws—Koch stated that the participation of journalists in such training is essential in supporting free elections.
“A free, fair, and credible election depends on the existence of informed and responsible media,” Koch said, adding, “We believe your work will help protect the legitimacy of democratic institutions in Tanzania.”
The training, attended by 31 journalists from Mwanza region, focused on legal aspects of elections, professional ethics, journalist safety, and gender equality in elections to ensure fair, accurate, and educative reporting ahead of the upcoming general election expected in October this year.
In his presentation, Absalom Kibanda, Co-Director of Media Brains, discussed the history of election laws in the country and highlighted several recent changes, including the enactment of
The Political Parties Affairs Laws (Amendment) Act, 2024; The Presidential, Parliamentary and Councilors’ Elections Act, 2024 and The Independent National Electoral Commission Act, 2024.
Kibanda stressed the importance of journalists thoroughly reading and understanding these laws, describing them as key tools to help journalists effectively fulfill their duties in educating the public during the general election process.
“As journalists, your ability to understand the electoral process and ask the right questions depends on your knowledge of the law,” Kibanda emphasised. “You cannot report effectively if you do not understand the laws governing the elections you are covering.”
He also provided an in-depth analysis of recent reforms, such as the change the then National Electoral Commission (NEC) to news body, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which among other things provides for a competitive process for appointing commissioners to the commission. However, he noted that these changes have not fully met the expectations of key stakeholders, especially opposition political parties.
Some training participants expressed concerns that last year’s local government elections did not show significant improvements, as politically appointed officials still supervised the electoral process.
In the group discussions, participants acknowledged ongoing deficiencies in Tanzania’s electoral system compared to neighbors like Kenya and other African countries.
These deficiencies include: Presidential election results not being challengeable in court, even if there are open evidence of procedural violations; the prohibition of independent candidates in all electoral positions; tensions and lack of transparency regarding the delineation of responsibilities between the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Registrar of Political Parties, who holds excessive powers; gender inequality, with women being inadequately represented in electoral systems.
Participants noted that while legal reforms and the enactment of new laws are important steps in electoral improvement, political will is still required for proper implementation of these laws.
On his part, Jesse Kwayu, Executive Director of Media Brains, gave a presentation on the roles of media and journalists in general election. He emphasised the importance of adhering to journalistic ethics and reporting with attention to gender equality.
“We cannot speak of democracy while leaving women behind,” said Kwayu, adding, “Journalists should not only report the truth but also ensure that the voices of women, youth and other marginalised groups are heard fairly and equally.”
Participants discussed gender issues in election campaigns, analysing how media should provide female candidates with adequate space to articulate their policy issues, leadership qualifications, and the systemic barriers they face in participating fully in the electoral process.
The discussion also touched on challenges faced by journalists, including safety concerns during elections, legal literacy, and professional pressure.
