Business journalists expected to undergo training on taxation

By Staff writer

Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA)

The Tanzania Tax Writers Network (TAWNET) in collaboration with the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) expect to offer training on taxation to 30 business journalists from various media houses.

TAWNET chairman Justin Damian said in Dar es Salaam yesterday that the anticipated training is continuation of a capacity building programme to TAWNET members and journalists in general. Its intention is to widen journalists’ skills in reporting issues on taxation.

“The training workshop is in line with TAWNET’s objective to build the capacity of journalists on taxation reporting. The network would like to express its sincere appreciation to Vodacom Tanzania for sponsoring the workshop for two consecutive years and Business Connexion Tanzania Limited for its first sponsorship,” Damian said

TAWNET is a non-governmental, non-profit organization formed by journalists interested in reporting issues related to tax.  According to its chairman, it has already registered 75 members representing 27 media outlets operating in Tanzania.

“It is a professional network initiated by journalists who are determined to broaden the scope of operation for journalists, recruiting a cadre of media professionals who would specialise on writing tax issues, a link that is missing in our country,” Damian said.

“TAWNET provides a platform for the would-be-tax writers to cover tax stories extensively,” he said.

The chairman noted that TAWNET aspires to provide a vibrant forum for extensive reporting on tax issues. It enables its members collect and disseminate (through their media outlets) information of public interest on tax. 

Damian said it also enables them pursue investigative stories on tax, encourage tax compliance by writing educative stories, publicising and recognising the best taxpayers in order to encourage others to follow suit.

According to Damian, other objectives include building the capacity of writers interested in tax reporting in order to enhance their competence in the tax field. In this way they would be capable enough to monitor good governance aspects in the sector, he said. 

This includes exposing tax evaders, writing investigative stories related to tax and providing proper accounts to the public through professional understanding of these subjects and shaping opinion, he noted.