By Douglas O. Majwala.

State efforts to establish a stably democratic society enshrined with such principles as good governance, respect for professionalism, mass campaign in support of war against graft, rule of law, human rights and free media that raises awareness of wananchi of what their government is working out for them thus make wananchi also in return fulfil their duty of citizenry, suffers deliberate sabotage masterminded by immoral figures in the society who does not have at heart the welfare of this very society.

In Tanzania, the right to give and receive information is enshrined in the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania (GOT, 1977).

Article 18(1) of the constitution stipulates that “subject to the laws of the land, every person is entitled to freedom of opinion and expression; that is to say, the right to freely hold and express opinions and seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers…Freedom from interference with correspondence [is also guaranteed].”

Down memory lane of the symbols of gallant journalism tend to prove that it is now becoming an order of the society since the founding of this politically independent nation where the twenty five years of the first rein managed to protect the freedom of the nation but not that of press whose role is check and balance amalgamated in the three most important duties of information, entertainment and education.

History has documented the horrific demise of an outstanding investigative journal of the defunct Mfanyakazi newspaper in early 1990s Stan Katabalo who sacrificed his spirit for the right course of this ailing nation but whose life ended up in the hands of anti-progress elements who are believed to have commissioned his manslaughter by armed banditry committed in a night raid of his Buguruni residence. The ecosystem agenda he took aloft during his last days now reveals wanton degradation and pouching to an alarming stage and has of recent sparked anger of the indigenous people in those locales.

Several times public offices responsible for management of natural resources have since been criticized and deplored for mismanagement, irresponsibility and deliberate lack of accountability when it comes to defending the national and or public interests, the offices have on different occasions been reorganized an exercise that shown some untrustworthy personnel the exit door. The late Katabalo was fulfilling his constitutional right, this constitutional right is given in its broadest sense to include rights to give and receive information on environment and natural resource management. Articles 18 and 27 are the most relevant constitutional provisions.

Adam Mwaibabile’s truthful pen turned into a painful pen in the hearts of people who had the duty to defend him as a licensed freelancer and this tarnished the image of the whole idea of establishing free media in our country. Languishing in the tortuous cubics on constitutionally backed orders of heavyweights who did not want truth revealed of the discrepancies in their administration sent him into detention and after public outcry he was able to be taken to court for justice. He was imprisoned on count of breaching the national security act by possessing sensitive cum confidential mail whose contents ostensibly aimed at barring him from getting license for his intended business. He came to pass away of complicated kidney on 01st February, 2007.

Said Kubenea’s fate is still fresh and puzzling in peoples’ memories. Fulfilling his patriotic duty earned him machete and acid assault by hired thugs and Kubenea has managed to get back to manipulate frontlines by the help of a merciful JK who fought tirelessly to make sure Kubenea’s sights are restored and wounds of bodily cuts are cured at any cost and wananchi keep getting the press flavour of their choice, which is a symbol of a loving and caring high profile patron, JK’s sympathy affirmed his inner desire for bringing freedom of the press regardless of stumbling blocks.

Kubenea the executive editor of weekly print Mwana Halisi and Mseto and Ndimara Tegambwage a veteran writer and director of IDEA an NGO working on social agenda were altogether victimized in the attack. Kubenea’s car was burnt down and received phone text messages of threat to exterminate him if he kept reporting burning issues of the public interest which involves individuals who chose apathy as a way of life in a society that is opposed to it. These non patriotic lots do not want what they perceive as toxic press note books of the Kubeneas.

The sms flushed to his hand set read “Kiburi chako kitakuponza, jiandae kwa shughuli nzito itakayokupata”, “Kifo chako kitakuwa cha aina yake, mzoga wako hautaonekana”, “Dawa ya kushughulikia maiti kama wewe imepatikana, jiandae”, “Maandalizi ya mauti yako yameiva, watangazie mabwana zako wanaokutuma. Unanuka uvundo wa kufa”, “Vuta pumzi zako za mwisho, hatuko mbali, yamebaki masaa machache kabla hatujakupeleka panapostahili”. Literally “your arrogance will betray you, get prepared for horrific incident that you are likely to face, your death will be of its kind, a cure for dealing with a dead body like you is available, get prepared, preparations for your death are completed, inform your masters who instructs you, you are smelling the odour of death, breath your final air, we are not far, few hours remaining before we take you to a right place”.

A renowned new generation in the media fraternity, electronic media hero and scooper of several awards Jerry Muro reported to be lured to succumb to blackmail by a recently sacked Bagamoyo district treasurer and managed to fall in the hands of the law enforcers, has sparked public debate on the authenticity of the allegations of receiving Tshs. 10 ml as kickback from the sacked official and now the whole saga is said to be the price Muro is paying for his investigative reports that saw about 20 police corps walking out of their employment on charges of graft when delivering as service men.

“A revenge or what?! Framed or truly corrupt?! No! No! His mic must have betrayed him! Was Muro’s wide mouth against graft and social vices a misconception of polisi jamii (community policing)?! Are TBC1 and the Police force not state machineries? Could they come to a win-win solution to clean these two sensitive instruments before public eyes and cover up government shame on the longstanding problem of graft? What happened when Police clashed with Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau officers on the allegations of that nature on different occasions when arresting police officers found receiving bribe?

Are journalistic awards of best TV reporter on graft and man eater HIV/AIDS not deserved of Jerry?! Why didn’t police inform Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau which is mandated with combating graft to carry the arrest if the sacked treasurer knew about the trap and got time to prepare the 10 ml catching lot?. Do Police and PCCB know clearly the limits of their areas of work to avoid confusion?!” Mixed feelings gripped Jerry’s fans when the news of his being booked by police struck the country and left his sympathizers awesome, all ears, eyes and mouths on Muro vs Police. Print, electronic, blind and blog media were headlined with TBC1 commentator’s arrest news.

Let the public give way for rule of law to prevail by taking Muro to court for justice to prove beyond reasonable doubt the genuineness of the allegation. Muro was advised by some of his proponents through blog that this is not the right time to come out public to explain what actually happened as this may worsen it all, but some had thoughts that going public will help wipe out possibility for concealing the truthful side of it by his accusers and also put to a balance unfounded speculations by the public. Some cited a case of former BoT chief who threatened to go public to reveal all those who were behind him in the protracted EPA scam but only ended up dying with the truth in his heart, thus appealing to Jerry not to blunder (wait) as did former BoT head.

Is free media an impractical philosophy for both public and private press? Which recipe for free media is worth adopting in the society for stability? Is freedom of the press a one man right when it comes to defending his interests against his opponents or when justifying his own cause? Is there anywhere in the world one can find conducive environment for free press? Is this kind of freedom meant for compromise? Is threat against brave journals a threat against freedom of the press? Is threat against press men who fulfils their lawful obligations a breach of Article 18(1) of the constitution of the URT? Frenzy against media, is it the price or the pride of professionalism? Why can’t society command what is right and forbid what is wrong? Which way forward for media? Is persistent brutality against media its birthright? Is media castaway in our society? Who can usher media to the Promised Land (freedom)? Has God forsaken media? Who can improve shattered relationship between media and heavy weights?

majwalaoriko@yahoo.co.uk
Tel. 0782299399