Hint made on live Bunge broadcast resumption

MASEMBE TAMBWE

Minister of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Nape Nnauye.

THE Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Mr Nape Nnauye, has hinted that come next National Assembly session, radio stations can be allowed to broadcast live parliament proceedings.

Speaking at the launch of the community media production studio being hosted by the Open University of Tanzania, Mr Nnauye said that the suspension of live broadcasts of proceedings in the parliament was still a contentious issue for which they were working on the best solution.

“We are aware of the rights of the people to information and we as the ministry given that mandate are ready to sit with the National Assembly, the public and media stakeholders to reach a suitable solution,” he said.

Mr Nnauye said that it should, however, be remembered that the decision to suspend live Bunge transmissions was made before the start of the fifth phase government and that it was obvious that the new regulations would come with their challenges.

He said that should radios be given the green light to broadcast live the parliament sessions, the advantage is to increase the scope of coverage and reduce cost to the media houses, which they would incur in transporting personnel and equipment.

Regarding the launch of the production studio, the minister said the community media was regarded as one of the most important channels for promoting inclusive democratic participation and providing a forum for engagement in decision-making due to its potential in reaching the section of population that is not easily served by the mainstream media.

Mr Nnauye observed that the project was important for the country to develop local radio capacities in using new technologies to support coverage of development issues and exchange of views among the audience.

“The project is also important to bridge the difference in access to knowledge and information between people living in the urban areas and those living in the rural areas,” he explained.

The United Nations Education, Scientific and Culture Organisation (UNESCO) Country Representative, Ms Zulmira Rodrigues, said that she was thrilled to have been part of the project as she believes that community radios are invaluable in increasing good governance.

Ms Rodrigues said that UNESCO has had a long history in the support of community radios all over the global including Tanzania and that it is the only media that can engage those who are illiterate.