MAGUFULI SIGNS MEDIA SERVICES BILL INTO LAW

PRESIDENT John Magufuli has signed into law the Media Services Bill, 2016, to the delight of media practitioners, who had eagerly waited for the legislation for a long time. 

According to a statement from the Directorate of Presidential Communications, Dr Magufuli on Wednesday assented to the Bill, which Members of Parliament (MPs) endorsed on November 5.

The Bill signing is another milestone towards massive transformation of the media profession in the country that has seen members of the Fourth Estate receiving poor treatment from media owners.

Although the new legislation has provisions that protect the interests of media professionals, media critics have repeatedly been punching holes into the bill, saying it was among the controversial laws in the country.

The throwing of legal mandate into the bill by Dr Magufuli comes at a time when various stakeholders have been pleading to the head of state against assenting the Bill, which they have described as draconian in nature and that its endorsement by the president was likely to curtail editorial freedom.

But, Dr Magufuli says that this is the best law for the interests of the nation and journalists. Addressing the nation during a media conference at State House in Dar es Salaam recently, President Magufuli said there was no justification for further delay as the overdue Bill was moved to the House for the first time nearly five years ago but no discussion was concluded whatsoever.

“I believe that this legislation will help to improve the media sector for the benefits of media professionals and the entire nation,’’ the president said, commending all stakeholders in the media industry for their critical role in drafting the new law.

With the new legislation, journalists are now set to enjoy the freedom of their operations as it guides the industry and bring to an end the Newspaper Act of 1976.

The Bill further clearly outlines the roles of journalists, media owners and printers with professional bodies to be formed to ensure smooth operations of both parties. The new law has taken away some of the powers of the minister.

They are now vested in the Independent Media Council and the Board of Accreditation. The minister will only remain with authority in matters of national security and public safety.

A fortnight ago, a new era was dawned in the country by the 11th Parliament as the National Assembly endorsed the Media Services Bill, 2016, which, among others, aims at transforming journalism from an occupational to a professional industry.

Immediately after MPs had endorsed the Bill, the Minister of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Mr Nape Nnauye, called on media stakeholders to bury their differences which arose during the Bill drafting and instead focus on the formation of regulations that will enable the legislation to serve the industry as planned.

Journalists, he said, will now be liable for any content distortion when the matter is in court whereas printers have been cleared in printing seditious content, taking into consideration the technological advancement in the industry.

On the Independent Media Council (IMC), Mr Nnauye said the government will have no hand in its formation, adding that conflicts of interest had mainly sparked the complaints.