{THE Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports has pledged to cooperate with the media industry and all stakeholders. It would also support the media industry by ensuring the existence of clear policies and laws that would not hinder its daily activities.}
This was said in Dar es Salaam by the minister, Mr Nape Nnauye, when he reported to the ministry’s headquarters with his deputy, Ms Anastazia Wambura, where was received by the Permanent Secretary (PS), Professor Elisante Ole Gabriel, staff as well as heads of public, who are under the ministry. “I am aware of the presence of draconian media laws and it is my wish to see media is working with no restrictions.
Therefore, I would like to see laws and regulations that support media industry to work properly. There must be better policies and laws that do not hinder media activities, I must declare that all laws that are not in favour of media people does not suit us. It is my pleasure to see that every one fulfills his or her duties accordingly,” he noted.
The minister also promised to solve challenges that are facing his portfolio, including the allocation of low budget that in turn hinders the ministry’s capability to execute its duties and responsibilities well.
“We all know that our ministry is faced by a number of challenges, including the allocation of insufficient budget. This ministry has a lot to do as it consists of very important sectors and institutions; we’ll find means to overcome all these challenges,” said Mr Nnauye. On her part, the Deputy Minister, Ms Wambura, urged the ministry’s staff to work hard to cope with President John Magufuli’s speed.
“I promise to cooperate with everyone in the ministry; we will be working together to ensure that the government’s targets are met on time. We have also to work hard to deliver to the public,” she appealed to the staff.
Earlier in his welcoming note, PS Mr Ole Gabriel said they will cooperate with the minister and his deputy in fulfilling their duties and address any challenges that might emerge.
“We are happy and we congratulate you on your appointments. Moreover, we pledge total cooperation in each and everything that will be required,” he said, explaining that the ministry has four departments and 302 staff. The event was also attended by heads of public institutions that are under the ministry.
They include the Managing Editor of Tanzania Standard (Newspapers) Limited (TSN) Managing Editor, Mr Gabriel Nderumaki, and the TBC Managing Director, Mr Clement Mshana. Others were the Executive Director of Bagamoyo College of Arts (TaSuBa), Mr Michel Kadinde, Tanzania Film Board Executive Secretary, Ms Joyce Fisoo, and the Executive Secretary of the National Arts Council, BASATA, Mr Godfrey Mungereza. Meanwhile, government institutions have been directed to pay their cumulative debts to Tanzania Standard (Newspapers) Limited (TSN) to enable the media house to continue operating smoothly.
The government institutions owe TSN, publisher of the ‘Daily News’, ‘Sunday News’, ‘HabariLeo’, ‘HabariLeo Jumapili’ and ‘SpotiLeo’ a total of 4.3 bn/-. Information, Culture, Arts and Sports Deputy Minister Ms Anastazia Wambura gave the directive in Dar es Salaam when she toured the media house.
Ms Wambura noted that the debt has been affecting the company’s activities and added that all government institutions should include publishing expenses in their budgets for them to be able to pay such debts on time.
“These debts are hampering daily activities of this media house; I thus I direct all government institutions to pay their debts as running costs are very high,” she stressed. On ways to increase dividend to the government, she advised the state-owned media house to be more creative and come up with better business ideas. “TSN has also to do business among other activities,’’ she directed.
Ms Wambura said it was crucial for TSN to keep on cooperating with private media houses in the spirit of patriotism and welfare of the media industry and the country at large.
Earlier, TSN Managing Editor, Mr Gabriel Nderumaki, said that despite stiff competition in the market TSN kept on performing well by applying various measures and strategies.
Mr Nderumaki said for the period of five years from 2010-2014, the company has been able to earn 34.3bn/- in advertising and 16.32bn/-in sales of newspaper copies. “Despite all the challenges we are facing, our market keeps on growing day by day.
We have been doing our best to satisfy our customers,” elaborated Mr Nderumaki The managing Editor noted that TSN will commence commercial printing project in January next year in which it will be printing calendars, government budget speeches and all other government documents, adding that they have already received 2.9bn/- from the TIB Investment Bank for the project.
Expounding further about the company’s plans, Mr Nderumaki said to solve the problem of unprofessionalism in the media industry, the company plans to establish a media training centre, which will mould aspiring and practicing journalists.
SOURCE:DAILY NEWS:[Media houses assured of Information Ministry’s cooperation->http://www.dailynews.co.tz/index.php/home-news/45088-media-houses-assured-of-information-ministry-s-cooperation]
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