Journalists badly need safety training - activist

By David Kisanga

Tanzania Human Rights Defenders � Coalition (THRD-C)

Lack of knowledge on security management and risk assessment for journalists in Tanzania has been cited as a major factor contributing to the current state of reporters’ insecurity.

“Like other people, journalists have personal interest in the rights that allow them to live in freedom and to be free from fear or oppression…” Tanzania Human Rights Defenders – Coalition (THRD-C) National Coordinator, Onesmo Olengurumwa has said.

He was speaking recently in Dar es Salaam at the just ended three day seminar for journalists meant to train them on Security Management and Risk Assessment.
He said similar trainings will be conducted periodically to ensure journalists are equipped with the know on how to best respond and tackle volatile and potentially dangerous situations.

“Media owners, editors, journalists, human rights NGOs, community and the government should take security and protection issues for journalists much more seriously,” said Olengurumwa.

On the other hand, he stressed that journalists must work diligently and exercise professional ethics and at the same time, maintain the highest levels of integrity when carrying out their tasks.

Olengurumwa reminded journalists that their personal behaviours, lifestyle and how they approach their work may place them at risk.
“Investing on security management and protection for journalists should be undertaken by all media owners,” he urged.

“Such an investment will in the long term serve as a preventive measure rather than waiting to invest on ad hoc responses to emergencies,” he summed up. 

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN