Tanzania: Ulimwengu is Part of Problems Facing Ethical Journalism in EAC
By Special Correspondent, Kampala – The East African newspaper published an article titled thus “In This Judicial System; One is Condemned not only in Innocence but also in Ignorance.”
The article published in August 10thon the East African newspaper written by one Jenerali Ulimwengu, claiming to be a veteran journalist and one of media owners in Tanzania, is a clear manifestation of how the author himself is part of the problem he narrates.
Reading between lines, the writer is tormenting from all angles the two professions he is working for; journalism and the Judiciary. He wishes his readers to understand that press freedom and legal systems are in danger in Tanzania.
He goes to blame that journalists are not free and the legal system is toothless. I doubt if the writer researched a bit to have full control, at an academic level, of the two fields he is discussing. This is astonishing that editors of the credible newspaper like the East African have published the article which is erroneous, fabricated and misleading.
Being an advocate of the High Court Mr. Jenerali knows well that he is an officer of the Court and has the audience with Magistrates and Judges to air and argue his case if he thinks some of his clients are deprived of their basic rights.
It is sheer shower of indiscipline to use a newspaper platform to condemn judges and magistrates forming up the judiciary as “toothless” in a forum Ulimwengu knows better that they cannot have a reciprocal right of reply. This is lack of maturity and childish.
I’m not a lawyer but I understand the legal system in any country has its norms andmodus operandi. You lose a case you have the right to appeal. Nowadays the levels of appeals include the regional and international human rights courts.
Scorning as “toothless” a judicial system that confirmed the Parliamentary candidacy of a dozen members of Mr. Ulimwengu’s favourite opposition coalition, Chadema/Ukawa, upon challenge by ruling party candidates, is a sheer lack of objectivity on the party of the writer.
I urge him first to declare his interest in terms of the politics in Tanzania before he continue lure your readers by posing as an “objective veteran reporter” while he is not. I also urge editors of the respected East African to kindly make Mr. Ulimwengu sign the conflict of interest form by declaring his side in Tanzanian politics, lest he continue to publish his articles with you.
As I said earlier, had Mr. Ulimwengu employed the slightest fairness, required of journalism etiquettes, he would have cited several cases where his opposition party, Chadema, and other opposition members took the government to the court and won. The latest being the District Directors’ as returning officers during elections.
In such scenarios, it is awkward, childish and lack of appreciation of the great work the judiciary is doing in Tanzania. People like Mr. Ulimwengu are part of the problem, if any, for want of in our countries. They are good intellectuals who know better how to blame, but not to be part of the problem solving panel.
I understand after over 40 years since he graduated law, only to be admitted into the bar in Tanzania few years ago, he might have lost the necessary legal expertise to argue his case before judges; alternatively, had he been fair enough, as an officer of the Court, should there be any problems within the Judiciary, he and his fellows would address them to or even meet the Chief Justice in person. Bombarding your own office with insults is a serious ineptitude.
On journalism: Mr. Ulimwengu writes: “Serious journalism is already an endangered species in Tanzania.” Well, I’m not sure apart from inhouse training in the past if Mr. Ulimwengu went to any formal journalism school to warrantee his insults, allegations and choice of words.
I understand, there are more than 21 types of journalism in media literature but I’m not sure of the kind of journalism as he referred too as “serious journalism.”
Probably the writer was referring to quality journalism/good journalism which requires journalists to attain certain agreed journalistic tenets and embracing certain media ethics.
Under quality journalism, a journalist interprets, consults, balances, analyses and strives to give meaning to all the babbling that is going on. Hopefully, the writer meant this type of journalism that defines the nature of the journalist that every country including Tanzania and Kenya would wish to see.
If journalists do not adhere to the criteria of quality journalism his/ her writings will raise questions in the society and may attract social responsibility and accountability. This is the principle all over the world.
Mr. Ulimwengu goes on to cite the example of journalist Erick Kabendera, a journalist arrested recently due to a number of allegations but was finally charged for money laundering.
He also cites Mr. Azory Gwanda who disappeared in the midst of violence in Kibiti, Coast Region (where many other Tanzanians including police force where either killed or disappeared) to shower his vindication that there is no press freedom in Tanzania.
Mr. Ulimwengu himself is a witness to the tradition in Tanzania that you can practise your journalism upon subscribing to media ethics including the cardinal principle of truth. His own newspaper, Rai Mwema, has been writing series of investigative and analytical articles for years without issues with the government (until when they published fake allegations and false facts).
Anywhere in the world the media has its rights and a set of accountabilities. When the media violates its accountabilities, sanctions are imposed. This cannot be treated as violation of press freedom. That is why in the UK, US, and any big democracy of Mr. Ulimwengu’s choice the press is put to the dock to unleash highest levels not of seriousness but accountability.
Journalists and media workers are supposed to be given maximum protection in doing their work but such a guarantee may be waved when they violate other laws of the land. This is what befell the named Kabendera. He is not charged for whatever article he wrote; his accusers believe they can prove money laundering. Let him prove his innocence in court.
Press freedom should not be confused with freedom to do anything simply because you are a press corps; defame people, insult, spread false news etc. I want to agree with Mr. Ulimwengu that as countries subscribing to human rights laws, East African countries including Tanzania must guarantee press freedom.
But I proceed to differ again with him when he seems to discrete the facts that Tanzania has done its part including allowing multiplicity of media outlets probably that any other EAC country.
Surprisingly, Mr. Ulimwengu insults the reality; he argues that the multiplicity isn’t a valid measurement. I partly say yes, but he must know, there is a relationship between media pluralism and press freedom.
That’s why Veszna Wessenauer on his masterpiece “New Challenges to Media Freedom and Pluralism,” the case study of Hungary (2014), the author found and concluded that media pluralism is not easy to achieve without uniform standards and governmental regulation.
He further reiterates that media pluralism is an extremely important facet in democratization; it facilitates public debates by providing different platforms for everyone to be heard.
I chose to address this reply to Mr Ulimwengu partly written “Ulimwengu Is Part of the Problems….” I mean it. Reading his remarks, examples and general lack of appreciation of many of his arguments in an unbiased way, one sees veteran writers like Ulimwengu as part of the problem.
He should deploy his skills and energy to remind upcoming journalists on how to be accountable in their work, uphold ethics and social responsibility to avoid strong arm of the society.
Unfortunately, he is vindictive; spending most of his time in blame-game. This does not help, but aggravates problems. Serious journalism, if any, isn’t about spreading fake news, publishing unbalanced accusations. Lest he know, journalism is a profession and has its values and attributes.
