President reads riot act to media owners

DAILY NEWS Reporter

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PRESIDENT John Magufuli has said media owners will henceforth be held responsible for the conduct of their journalists, who publish stories that incite the public.

The Head of State yesterday directed the newly appointed Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Dr Harrison Mwakyembe, to take immediate appropriate actions against media outlets that publish stories that are likely to tear the nation apart.

“Go and work…if there are those who are going against the required principles, do not hesitate to take action including some issues that the former ministers failed to take action,’’ he told Dr Mwakyembe.

The President was speaking at State House few minutes after swearing-in two ministers and five other appointees. Dr Magufuli stressed that he will not let few people destroy the country. “I ask media owners to watch their conducts and be careful, I will not allow irresponsible media freedom,’’ he warned.

Dr Magufuli asked journalists in the country to observe patriotism and use their pens very careful by putting the interests of the nation first.

President Magufuli used the 1994 Rwanda genocide to argue his point saying journalists fuelled it. “I will not allow this in my country; you can hate a person but do not hate your country,’’ said Dr Magufuli. In an interview after the swearing-in ceremony, Dr Mwakyembe said he expects to deliver to the expectations of the President.

“I worked as a journalist, therefore I am competent enough to discharge my duties although I understand that there are a lot of challenges that needs immediate solutions,’’ he said.

Dr Mwakyembe takes over his new role when the media fraternity is eagerly waiting for the report by a team formed by his immediate predecessor to investigate allegations against Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner (RC), Mr Paul Makonda, that he invaded Clouds Media Group (CMG), to be submitted to the President.

However, Dr Mwakyembe insisted that he would not hand over the report findings and suggested recommendations to the President because it was yet to be balanced.

“The probe team only heard one side of the complainant but did not hear what the Dar es Salaam RC had to say and as a lawyer I believe in the principle of natural justice,’’ he said, adding that he would first get enough time to hear from the other side before advising the President on the matter.