Dar es Salaam— The launch of the Journalists
Accreditation Board at Johari Rotana in Dar es Salaam saw the Minister of
Culture, Arts, and Sports, Prof. Palamagamba Kabudi (pictured), championing the
revival of Development Journalism to highlight rural progress across Tanzania.
Speaking during the inauguration
ceremony on March 3, Prof. Kabudi underscored the importance of spotlighting
grassroots development projects that align with the government's ongoing
efforts. He lamented that Development Journalism, once a hallmark of the media
landscape, has been sidelined, leaving significant achievements in rural areas
underreported.
“I recently visited Mbeya’s rural
areas and found a health center fully equipped with state-of-the-art dental
facilities—equipment you’d expect to find in major hospitals. I even spent the
night there,” he shared, illustrating the strides made under President Samia
Suluhu Hassan’s administration.
Prof. Kabudi highlighted how
rural electrification projects and improved schools, laboratories, and health
centers have transformed village life, calling on journalists to delve deeper
into these stories. “We have all witnessed how clean cooking energy has reached
rural communities. This kind of reporting deserves the same prominence that
Radio Tanzania once gave to national development stories,” he urged.
Reflecting on the past, Prof.
Kabudi noted that journalism used to present in-depth analysis and post-news
discussions, breaking down development projects and their impact on society. He
called for a return to such practices, emphasizing that comprehensive reporting
turns journalists into both researchers and scholars.
“This kind of detailed analysis
propels journalists to specialize in various fields such as economics, crime,
finance, politics, arts, culture, entertainment, health, industry, and
technology. Specialization creates room for experts and opens new opportunities
across sectors,” he explained.
He further clarified that
investigative journalism should not always be confined to exposing faults but
should also focus on uncovering knowledge, verifying facts, and providing
insightful perspectives.
The ceremony was attended by members of the newly appointed board, including Tido Mhando, who will serve as the chairperson. The board’s formation signals a renewed commitment to promoting ethical, in-depth journalism that fosters national development while giving a voice to underrepresented communities.