Appeal for Provisions on Press Freedom in EAC Constitutions

{{Governments in the East African Community (EAC) bloc have been urged to ensure that their constitutions provide for a free and secure media regime.}}

They have also been urged to make sure that other laws do not infringe on the freedom of the press and expression.

The call is among seven recommendations put forward by media stakeholders. The recommendations, dubbed ‘The Mount Meru Declaration’, was compiled by a special committee selected after the commemoration of the World Press Freedom Day in Arusha on May 3, this year.

Reading the Declaration in a meeting in Dar es Salaam yesterday, the Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa) – Tanzania Chapter chairperson, Mr Mohamed Tibanyendera, said that the statement aims at ensuring better and safer working environments for journalists in East Africa.

“The declaration outlines responsibilities of governments and state organs towards journalists as well as responsibilities of media practitioners towards the government and the public at large,” he said.

Other recommendations, according to Tibanyendera, include the call for media owners to undertake structural reforms.

{NMG}