The National Safety and Security meeting convened following rise of multiple Journalists arrest in Tanzania.
On Monday this week, Union of Tanzania Press Clubs (UTPC), in collaboration with International Media Support (IMS), UNESCO, and other media stakeholders, gathered at UNESCO's premises to address growing concerns regarding the safety and security of journalists but also Democracy, Gender and Human Rights.
From January to September 2024, there have been at least 10 incidents involving 17 journalists, including the arrest of three journalists in a political context.
Kenneth Simbaya, the executive director of UTPC, noted that these violations often stem from journalists' unfamiliarity with the principles governing police conduct, as well as the police's lack of understanding of journalistic principles.
Mr. Simbaya emphasized that freedom of expression is a cornerstone of democracy, stating, "Arresting journalists infringes on this freedom, as the community must be informed to make necessary decisions on various issues."
In response, UTPC and IMS have conducted safety and security dialogues across various regions to tackle these challenges, totaling 58 dialogues in 13 regions thus far.
Fausta Msokwa, IMS country programme manager, reported that these dialogues have had a positive impact on the ground, highlighting the need for joint efforts among media stakeholders to reach all areas of Tanzania. "These dialogues help expand journalists' understanding of their fundamental rights. Many face mistreatment due to a lack of awareness of these rights," she explained.
The establishment of regional safety and security committees is one outcome of these dialogues, aimed at coordinating discussions and documenting violations against journalists. Several cases have already been addressed by these committees.
In all recorded violations, the police have been identified as the primary perpetrators, underscoring the necessity for dialogues between journalists and police forces.
DCP David Misime, spokesperson for the Tanzania Police Force, expressed gratitude to UTPC and its partners for organizing these dialogues, noting their role in reducing tensions between journalists and law enforcement. He stressed the importance of collaboration in minimizing journalist violations to uphold the nation's reputation.
Also, he noted that the dialogues led to significant changes in the police force and among journalists, fostering increased collaboration and a better understanding of each party's operations.
During the discussion, members emphasized the importance of engaging multiple stakeholders to raise public awareness about the need to protect journalists while promoting access to information to support a thriving democracy.
Additionally, they recommended establishing a memorandum of understanding between the police and journalists as a crucial step in combating media violations.
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