Journalists: Justice! Justice!

BY DEVOTA MWACHANG`A

Journalists in the country have vowed to continue pressing the government to take action against all people involved in the brutal killing of the Channel Ten Representative in Iringa Daudi Mwangosi.

They also called on the police to respect their work just as journalists recognise and respect members of the force.

They were speaking at Jangwani grounds in Dar es Salaam yesterday, where they gathered after a march to condemn the brutal murder of Mwangosi. Similar marches by journalists were staged in the regions.

“We have taken various steps after the killing of Mwangosi including issuing statements to condemn the brutality… the second step is the demonstration we conducted today to show Tanzanians that the act is unacceptable,’ said Neville Meena Secretary of Tanzania Editors Forum.

He said: “We are not stopping here. We will continue to press the government until appropriate action is taken against all people involved in the brutal killing of our colleague Daudi Mwangosi.”

Meena said the peaceful march by journalists was meant to convey their message worldwide, in Africa and Tanzania that the working environment for journalists in the country is no longer secure.

He said it is the first time in the history of Tanzania that a journalist has been killed while on duty. “It is unacceptable ….this is our message… it is unacceptable today and tomorrow… we should act.”

Meena explained that the report of the probe team formed by TEF in collaboration with MCT to establish the circumstances leading to the killing of Mwangosi will guide journalists in deciding further course of action.

“The report may help us to declare events such as political rallies threatening environments for journalists, regardless whether they are held by the ruling party or opposition,” Meena warned.

He also stressed that journalists were carrying out their duties for the benefit of all Tanzanians and not in the interests of individuals or groups of influential or rich people.

Managing Editor of Nipashe Jessey Kwayu said the blood of slain Mwangosi shed at Iringa will be used to cleanse the police force.

“Police must understand that people are paying taxes so that they can get their uniforms and arms to safeguard citizens and not to kill them …I believe this blood will change the police to understand the rights of journalists,” Kwayu said.

Editor with Jamhuri newspaper Manyerere Jackton called upon journalists to continue fighting without fear especially when executing their duties, adding: “The blood of Mwangosi should be a catalyst for us to move forward.”

President of the Union of Tanzania Press Clubs UTPC Keneth Simbaya called upon journalists to stop agonising and instead come up with strategies to improve their situation.

Masoud Saanani from Zanzibar called on the police to return the laptop, camera and bag of Mwangosi because they are his property and that police had no reason to  hold onto them.

He said journalists should black out news relating to police for at least forty mourning days.

University of Dar es Salaam Lecturer Dr Azavel Lwaitama called on journalists to be courageous when executing their duties.

He pointed an accusing finger at politicians saying they were misusing the police to fulfil their interests, adding: “You should not hate the police, because it is politicians who use them.” 

Channel Ten Editor-in-Chief Dina Chahali commended journalists for the show of unity and called them to strengthen the bond in fighting for their rights.

A total 526, 000/- was collected at the rally as condolence to family of Mwangosi.

Meanwhile Media practitioners in other regions who marched to condemn the brutal killing of Mwangosi called on the government to hold accountable all those involved in the act.

In Tanga region journalists failed to stage demonstration due to heavy rains which started early in the morning and lasted most of the afternoon hours.

The chairman of Tanga Press club Hassan Hashim said the killing of innocent people in a democratic country like Tanzania was unacceptable, calling on every citizen to condemn it.

He also asked the government to take steps to ensure journalists were safe while at work.

He said the killing of the journalist had earned the country a negative image internationally, adding: “The government must take stern measures against those involved in the murder.” he stated.

However, journalists promised to continue executing their duties for the benefit of wananchi.

In Singida journalists condemned the police for the killing, saying that the act had tarnished the image of the force and was against human rights.

In Moshi the club chairman Rodrick Makundi, said the force has been preaching to wananchi to willingly obey the law, forgetting that they too have the obligation to work within the law.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN (12/09/2012): http://www.ippmedia.com/frontend/index.php?l=45715