By Mitayoba Arbogast
ARUSHA — The Rural Journalists Association of Tanzania (RUJAT) has called for stronger protections for media freedom and a renewed focus on amplifying rural voices, warning that millions risk being excluded from national discourse without deliberate action.
Speaking during World Press Freedom Day commemorations in Arusha, RUJAT Chairperson Neville Meena said press freedom must go hand in hand with responsibility, urging journalists to uphold core professional values including accuracy, balance and public interest.
“Freedom of the press must be exercised with discipline,” Meena said, cautioning that without ethical standards, the value of media independence could quickly erode.
The two-day gathering, held at the Mount Meru Hotel, brought together media stakeholders to examine the future of journalism amid rapid digital transformation. Discussions centered on sustainability, innovation, and safeguarding press freedoms in an evolving media landscape.
RUJAT Executive Secretary Prosper Kwigize said the association is working with institutions including the Media Council of Tanzania, UNESCO and other regional bodies to shift journalism beyond urban-centered reporting.
He warned that rural communities remain underrepresented despite being heavily affected by issues such as security, development and access to information. “A village that is not heard is like a tree falling in a forest,” Kwigize said, underscoring the urgency of inclusive storytelling.
According to RUJAT, limited communication infrastructure and low investment in rural media continue to exclude many citizens from national conversations. The association argues that development cannot be fully realized without access to timely and reliable information.
The group also welcomed a proposal by Information Minister Paul Makonda to establish a joint committee between the government and media stakeholders to monitor the implementation of resolutions from the Arusha meeting.
Meena described the initiative as a critical step toward accountability. “Many resolutions remain words on paper without follow-up,” he said, adding that structured oversight could help translate commitments into action.
He further called on authorities to improve access to public information, enhance journalist safety, and foster an enabling environment for independent media. “Access to information is a right, not a favor,” Meena said, warning that delays or restrictions undermine informed decision-making.
Beyond policy reforms, RUJAT urged media organizations to develop sustainable business models and embrace emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, while preserving the human values at the heart of journalism.
Participants at the Arusha forum agreed that the industry’s future depends on balancing innovation with ethics, particularly as digital disruption reshapes how news is produced and consumed.
RUJAT said the discussions highlighted a shared understanding that press freedom, journalist safety, rural inclusion and media sustainability are interconnected priorities.
“The media can only serve society effectively when it reflects the realities of both urban and rural communities,” the association said, stressing that inclusive journalism is essential to national development.
