Members of House of Representatives have criticised the government’s failure to improve Zanzibar state media including improving the welfare of journalists.
House of Representatives in Zanzibar
Debating a bill to establish the Zanzibar Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC), Representatives said unprofessionalism and poor management style undermines the well-being of employees and the development of the state media.
“Despite the fact that Zanzibar was probably the first in Africa to establish a colour television channel, it is a shame that our television and radio stations lag behind other new electronic media in the region,” Representatives lamented.
They condemn the ZBC management for not being serious and ‘showing unacceptable’ programmes that include music which is against Zanzibari culture. Mr Ismail Jussa Ladu (CUF-Mjimkongwe), Ms Asha Bakari Makame (CCM-Women), Mr Salim Awadhi Salmin (CCM-Magomeni), Mr Hamza Hassan Juma (CCM-Kwamtipura) and Mr Hija Hassan Hija (CUF-Kiwani) led other members to press the government to reform ZBC.
They also pushed the government to make sure that journalists and other staff of ZBC are paid well, have better working tools and that the 20 journalists from the state media who went to Netherlands for short training are paid their allowances as soon as possible.
“It is disappointing that journalists are doing a good job, working overtime under difficult conditions but are not paid well. We should motivate them by paying them allowances when they travel and also overtime. I request the House also to set a budget for journalists,” said Mr Hamza.
By ISSA YUSSUF, Tanzania Daily News