Tanzanian journalists trained to prioritise peace, own safety in reporting
The training was informed by the October 29, 2025, post-election violence that saw at least three journalists killed and a dozen others injured.
THURSDAY February 12, 2026
By The Tranquillity News Correspondent, Tanzania
The Media Aid for Indigenous and Pastoralist Communities (MAIPAC) has concluded a significant training programme aimed at empowering Tanzanian journalists to be agents of peace while safeguarding their personal security during conflicts.
The training was informed by the October 29, 2025, post-election violence that saw at least three journalists killed and a dozen others injured.
MAIPAC in collaboration with The Netherlands-based news organisation Free Press Unlimited gathered journalists from seven regions across the country, including Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, Geita, Mara, Manyara, Mbeya, and Arusha.
Free Press Unlimited has since 2012 supported more than 8,000 journalists through its emergency fund, providing some with temporary relocation, legal support, and safety equipment such as ballistic vests.
Opening the session, MAIPAC Director Mussa Juma delivered a sharp warning against irresponsible journalism, stating that one-sided news that does not consider the wider values and interests of the public has been causing mistrusts and conflicts in society.
He strongly urged participants to write stories that actively promote peace and prioritise their safety above all else.
Juma advised journalists to conduct feasibility studies on their stories both before and after writing them, ensuring they understand the potential harms and benefits, and remain unbiased.
“Above all, we should take safety precautions when using digital media,” he stressed.
The training also delved into the legal and ethical responsibilities of the press. Independent lawyer John Sendodo, representing Protection Africa, guided the journalists through various media laws.
In spotlight were the Tanzania’s Information Services Act of 2016, and the Cybercrime Act of 2015. Sendodo urged the journalists to adhere to these laws despite any perceived shortcomings.
“There are several laws that you must know, let’s read and understand them,” he advised, cautioning them to refrain from breaking the law while executing their duties.
Complementing the legal training, Journalist Joseph Mayagilla, founder of the Fanikiwa Journalism School based in Arusha, focused on the bedrock of the profession: Ethics.
Mayagilla echoed Juma’s concerns, stating that one-sided news has been detrimental to society and lamenting a current trend of writing that neglects ethical standards.
To ensure the highest quality of news, he proposed a return to specialised departmental desks in media organisations, such as investigative news, peace and development, and the economy, all to be headed by expert journalists.
In a crucial session, psychologist Ester Cornelio highlighted the severe mental toll the profession can take.
She urged journalists facing mental stress or trauma to seek professional treatment, dispelling the myth that binging on alcohol or cigarettes relieves mental stress. “Seek experts’ advice and treatment,” she stressed.
Cornelio pointed out a troubling trend where men are becoming major victims of depression and stress, often because they are less willing to speak up about their emotional burdens compared to women.
The 30 participants in the training strongly affirmed the need for continuous professional development.
Tausi Mbowe, the Digital Desk Manager with Star TV, Anthony Mayunga from Serengeti Media, and Odero Odero from Civic and Legal Aid Organisation emphasized the importance of ethics and the need for addressing the effects of stress and legal loopholes.
While Mbowe specifically recommended strengthening regular training on industry laws and stress management, Odero cited Kevin Carter, a South African photojournalist, who died at age 33 by suicide, just months after winning a 1994 Pulitzer Prize, following criticism for an image of a starving child in Sudan. Carter died just months after winning a 1994 Pulitzer Prize.
This sentiment was shared by Elizabeth Nyivambe (Mbeya), Muta Robet (Geita), and Zakaria Mtigandi (Manyara), who stressed the continued need for training, especially on the proper use of digital media and security protocols for journalistsΩ
