MEI 3, 2025
TAARIFA KWA VYOMBO VYA HABARI KUTOKA ZAMECO
MAADHIMISHO YA SIKU YA UHURU WA VYOMBO VYA HABARI DUNIANI
Zanzibar
Kamati ya Wataalamu wa Masuala ya Habari Zanzibar (ZAMECO) ikijumuisha (Klabu ya
Waandishi wa Habari Zanzibar (ZPC), Chama cha Waandishi wa Habari Wanawake
Tanzania (TAMWA -ZNZ), Baraza la Habari Tanzania (MCT), Jumuiya ya Waandishi wa
Habari za Maendeleo Zanzibar (WAHAMAZA), pamoja Jukwaa la Watetezi wa Haki za
Binadamu Tanzania, Zanzibar tunaungana na jamii ya kimataifa kuadhimisha Siku ya
Uhuru wa Vyombo vya Habari Duniani (World Press Freedom Day) ambayo
huadhimishwa kila ifikapo tarehe 3 Mei kila mwaka. Kwa Zanzibar kaulimbiu ya mwaka
huu ni “Sheria nzuri ya Habari ni chachu ya uchaguzi ulio huru na wa haki”.
Kaulimbiu hiyo yenye lengo la kuchochea majadiliano ya kitaifa kuhusu umuhimu wa
upatikanaji wa sheria mpya na rafiki yenye kusimamia mazingira salama kwa waandishi
wa habari hasa kuelekea kipindi cha uchaguzi mkuu unaotarajiwa kufanyika mwezi
Oktoba mwaka huu.
Katika kuadhimisha siku hii muhimu, ZAMECO inasisitiza maeneo makuu matatu
ambayo ni:

1. Sheria Mpya ya Habari Zanzibar, ambayo itazingatia matakwa ya Katiba,
   Mikataba ya kikanda na kimataifa kuhusu uhuru wa kujieleza pamoja na maoni
   ya wadau wa habari waliyoyatoa katika mchakato wa uandaaji wa Muswada wa
   Sheria hiyo, sambamba na hayo Sheria hiyo itasaidia kujenga msingi wa
   uchaguzi ulio huru, wenye haki na uwazi.
2. Ulinzi kwa Waandishi wa habari wakati wa uchaguzi: Waandishi wa
   habari ni nguzo muhimu ya demokrasia. Wana haki ya kufanya kazi zao bila hofu
   wala vitisho, mashambulizi au unyanyasaji. ZAMECO inatoa wito kwa vyombo vya
   dola, vyama vya siasa, na wadau wote kuhakikisha waandishi wa habari
   wanawekewa ulinzi wa kutosha wakati wakitekeleza majukumu kipindi chote cha
   uchaguzi na baada.3. Haki ya kuripoti bila kubaguliwa:Vyombo vya habari vina wajibu wa
   kuwafikia wananchi kwa usawa. ZAMECO inapinga vikali aina zote za ubaguzi
   kwa misingi ya itikadi, asili ya chombo au mtazamo wa mhariri/mwandishi
   ikiwamo kuwapo kwa kadi maalum zinazotolewa na Tume ya Uchaguzi,
   tunashauri kuwa kadi/vitambulisho vitolewe kwa kila mwandishi mwenye sifa za
   kuwa mwandishi na anayetarajia kuripoti wakati wa uchaguzi kwani huo ndio
   utawala bora, hivyo tunatoa wito kwa Tume ya Uchaguzi, vyombo vya dola na
   watoa taarifa kuwa wawazi na kutoa ushirikiano kwa vyombo vyote vya habari
   bila upendeleo.
   Mwisho ZAMECO inatoa wito kwa waandishi wa habari na wadau wengine wa habari
   kuendelea kupaza sauti kudai upatikanaji wa Sheria Mpya ya Huduma za Habari
   Zanzibar na kuendelea kuwa mabalozi wa uhuru wa habari, uwajibikaji na uwazi katika
   jamii yetu.
   “Kuwapo kwa Uhuru wa Habari ni chachu ya maendeleo katika nchi”
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   3rd May, 2025
   PRESS RELEASE
   COMMEMORATION OF WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY
   Zanzibar
   The Zanzibar Media Committee (ZAMECO), which includes the Zanzibar Press Club
   (ZPC), the Tanzania Media Women’s Association, Zanzibar (TAMWA-Zanzibar), The
   Media Council of Tanzania (MCT), The Zanzibar Development Journalists Association
   (WAHAMAZA), along with The Tanzania Human Rights Defenders, Zanzibar, joins the
   International community in commemorating World Press Freedom Day, which practical
   is celebrated every year on 3rd May. For Zanzibar, this year’s theme is: “A Good Media
   Law is a Catalyst for Free and Fair Elections.”
   This theme aims to encourage national dialogue on the importance of enacting a new,
   inclusive media law that fosters a safe environment for journalists, especially as the
   country prepares for the upcoming general election scheduled for October this year.
   In commemorating this important day, ZAMECO emphasizes three key areas:
3. A New Media Law in Zanzibar: The proposed law should be in line with
   constitutional requirements, regional and international conventions on freedomof expression, and incorporate stakeholder input gathered during the drafting
   process. This law would lay the foundation for free, fair, and transparent
   elections.
4. Protection of Journalists During Elections: Journalists are a crucial pillar of
   democracy and have the right to work without fear, threats, attacks, or
   harassment. ZAMECO urges state agencies, political parties, and all stakeholders
   to ensure that journalists are adequately protected while carrying out their duties
   throughout the election period and beyond.
5. Right to Report Without Discrimination: Media outlets have a duty to reach
   the public equitably. ZAMECO strongly condemns all forms of discrimination
   based on ideology, media ownership, or editorial perspectives including the
   issuance of special accreditation cards by the Electoral Commission. We
   recommend that accreditation be granted to any qualified journalist intending to
   report during the elections. This reflects principles of good governance. We
   therefore call on the Electoral Commission, security forces, and information
   providers to be transparent and cooperative with all media outlets without bias.
   Finally, ZAMECO calls on journalists and other media stakeholders to continue raising
   their voices in demanding the enactment of a new Media Services Law in Zanzibar, and
   to remain ambassadors for press freedom, accountability, and transparency in our
   society.
   “Freedom of the Press is a Catalyst for National Development.”
   END