. . . Government to reveal findings on its operationsTHE conundrum on the controversial contract between Star Media (T) Ltd (Startimes) and Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation will soon be resolved following the submission of two reports from the Controller and Audit General (CAG) and the team that was formed to probe the matter.
The Minister for Information, Culture,
Arts and Sport, Dr Harrison Mwakyembe, said on Thursday evening that his
office has already received the two reports on the matter.
He said the team, which was formed to go
through the operations and the partnership between TBC and Star Media
(T) Ltd has done a great job and that its report is already on his
table.
The team was formed after President John
Magufuli directed Dr Mwakyembe to look into the contract between Star
Media Tanzania Ltd and TBC and take necessary measures if the contract
is not beneficial to Tanzania. Earlier, the Star Media (T) Limited
claimed it had failed to realise profit in its business for the period
of seven years consecutively. The company started its operations in the
country in 1999.
On Thursday, Dr Mwakyembe said: “The
team has already submitted the report to me, it is a good report with
all required information.” The Minister was speaking on the performance
of his Ministry in the past two years during a special programme aired
by TBC.
He added that the CAG report also has
been submitted and that there is a big connection of issues in the two
reports. “I have received both reports, I have read them carefully and
they are all well prepared,” he noted.
Dr Mwakyembe said the top Star Media (T)
Limited management is expected to arrive in the country starting from
November 8th, this year to discuss the matter. However, Dr Mwakyembe
declined to go into details on the matter saying it wasn’t the right
time for analyzing the reports.
In May, this year, President Magufuli
made a surprise visit to TBC headquarters in Mikocheni area and directed
Star Media (T) Ltd (Startimes) to start paying dividends. President
Magufuli said a company cannot continue operating in a country for seven
years if it truly ‘makes losses.’
“You have been here since 1999 ... if
you are making losses why are you still operating?” President Magufuli
wondered, adding: “Tell your business partners that they have to pay
dividend.” “Make sure that you adhere to what’s in the contract. You
cannot claim you’re making losses every year but still remain operating.
So, I want you to start discussions with
TBC and the respective ministry on modalities of paying the dividend,”
President Magufuli stressed. On Thursday, Dr Mwakyembe said the team has
effectively reviewed the contract and submitted the report.
“We have worked on the Head of State’s
directives and soon this matter will be resolved,” he said. From its
website, Startimes, which brands itself as Star Media (Tanzania)
Limited, is a technology company that was established in 1988 in China.
It explains that it is a pioneer and key
player in digital television solution in China and Africa, where it has
acquired over 7 million subscribers. According to Startimes, the
company currently operates in 10 African Countries, Nigeria, Tanzania,
Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Guinea, Central African Republic, Burundi,
Mozambique and Senegal.
Commenting on the implementation of the
Media Service Act,2016, the Minister said wherever there is freedom of
press, there must be responsibility as well. He said whoever goes
against the principles and laws of the land will face the law.
He advised media owners and media
organisation to employ qualified journalists instead of searching for
cheaplabour. “We want media own ers to employ educated and qualified
journalists, with this law, we are going to sweep out all unqualified
people from this industry,” he insisted.
He added that sometimes, sources fail to
give information on fear of being misquoted by unqualified reporters.
“Sometimes, people opt to keep mum because they are misquoted; we need
journalists who can analyse and report issues professionally,” he said.
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