PRINCIPLES OF NEWS JOURNALISM UNDER CHALLENGE: AFRICAN PERSPECTIVES. Prepared by Zuhura Selemani SJMC-UDSM May 21 st, 2013 Prepared by Zuhura Selemani SJMC-UDSM May 21 st, 2013

INTRODUCTION In 2000 there was a series of workshops in Kenya for editors and reporters from different media houses in Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Gambia and Sudan. They were discussing about these principles of reporting and how they can be implemented, and what are the challenges that hinder the full implementation of journalism principles

INTRO CONT… During 2011, the Tanzania Editors Forum (TEF), which brings together editors from various media outlets, consistently expressed concerns about the interference of business and political interests in editorial decision-making functions in the media. According to TEF, that kind of pressure is dangerous as politicians are bent on manipulating the media to serve their interests and that the money factor is key in the process, which explains why an increasing number of published stories, are not balanced. During 2011, the Tanzania Editors Forum (TEF), which brings together editors from various media outlets, consistently expressed concerns about the interference of business and political interests in editorial decision-making functions in the media. According to TEF, that kind of pressure is dangerous as politicians are bent on manipulating the media to serve their interests and that the money factor is key in the process, which explains why an increasing number of published stories, are not balanced.

INTRO CONT… In Europe and North America, liberal democracy is said to guarantee journalism the best environment it needs to foster freedom and progress. Liberal democracy’s huge investments in the making of the Independent Individual is projected as the model to be promoted and defended by journalism in and on Africa. Yet the more African Journalism strives to implant liberal democracy, the less the successes it has had to report (Nyamnjoh, 2005). In Europe and North America, liberal democracy is said to guarantee journalism the best environment it needs to foster freedom and progress. Liberal democracy’s huge investments in the making of the Independent Individual is projected as the model to be promoted and defended by journalism in and on Africa. Yet the more African Journalism strives to implant liberal democracy, the less the successes it has had to report (Nyamnjoh, 2005).

PRINCIPLES Truth Objectivity Accuracy Decency Fair play Honesty Responsibility to Report-R2R Truth Objectivity Accuracy Decency Fair play Honesty Responsibility to Report-R2R

TRUTH Journalism first obligation The fact is presented, but sometimes truth is manipulated The yellow press continued to thrive on twisted truth-deceptive headlines and fabrications, sensational reporting, their publications is focusing on the type of stories that are an absolute taboo in the mainstream media(MCT, 2011) Global publishers (owning 6 n.p.) sell 300,000 copies weekly-1.5mill readers (MCT, 2012) Journalism first obligation The fact is presented, but sometimes truth is manipulated The yellow press continued to thrive on twisted truth-deceptive headlines and fabrications, sensational reporting, their publications is focusing on the type of stories that are an absolute taboo in the mainstream media(MCT, 2011) Global publishers (owning 6 n.p.) sell 300,000 copies weekly-1.5mill readers (MCT, 2012)

WORST CASES (Generally in Africa) TBC1 report on number of people in relation to their sects-2012 Rwanda-genocide-1994 Kenya-post election violence-2007/8 Nigeria-inter religious conflicts-since 1970’s TBC1 report on number of people in relation to their sects-2012 Rwanda-genocide-1994 Kenya-post election violence-2007/8 Nigeria-inter religious conflicts-since 1970’s

CHALLENGES Business oriented Corruption Brown/yellow envelopes Culture (tribalism?) No autonomy-independence Business oriented Corruption Brown/yellow envelopes Culture (tribalism?) No autonomy-independence