New technology absolves them from proof-reading the content of articles needed to be printed; this was said by the former Managing Editor of Mwananchi Communications Limited (MCL), Theophil Makunga at Kisutu Resident Magistrates’ Court in Dar es Salaam.
Managing Editor of Mwananchi Communications Limited (MCL), Theophil Makunga
He said that while giving his defence evidence in a trial involving journalists in a seditious article which was published on November 30, last year, through Tanzania Daima newspaper.
The former Managing Editor told the Principal Resident Magistrate Warialwande Lema that the technology do not allow him as the printer to edit and even proof read the content of the articles to be printed by the company, but the authority rests with the publisher of the newspaper.
“After the establishment of the new technology in the media industry, as a printing company, I have no authority to edit the content – the full newspaper goes direct to the printing technician and without editing what is being printed,” he explained.
He further said that earlier in 1970′s the printing press had authority to edit and proof read before being printed in order to see whether there could be information which can mislead the public.
“In those years before this new technology, there was a typesetter, proof reader and the editor authorization of printing in making sure that the printed articles will not be seditious,” he said.
Other accused persons in the case are the former Managing Editor of Tanzania Daima, Absalom Kibanda, and Samson Mwigamba, a journalist.
The prosecution alleged that on November 30 last year, the three accused persons, using their professional and work roles, published and printed a seditious publication through the Tanzania Daima newspaper.
The article written by Mwigamba titled “Waraka maalum kwa askari wote” literally meaning, “Special letter to all security forces” and was read and approved by Kibanda before being passed on for printing.
Makunga, according to facts of the case, printed the article without considering that it covers seditious sections aimed at inciting security forces not to obey their leaders.
The case will be mentioned again on December 5, this year, with a view of ascertain what will be the next cause of action.
By SWAUM MUSTAPHER, Tanzania Daily News
