Group photo of the participants at the Seminar

The President of the Journalists Workers ‘Union of Tanzania (JOWUTA), Claud Gwandu, has called on the Tanzanian Government to “stop issuing general penalties for errors committed by journalists. Government, he said, is always in a haste to close down a media house when such mistakes are committed”.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of a two – day Seminar on “Organising in the Digital Economy, Trade Union Reform and Youth Recruitment, organised by JOWUTA in collaboration with the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) under the Union to Union (UTU) Project 2021, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania from 15- 16 September, Comrade Gwandu said that disciplinary action should be imposed like in any other profession.   “Why has it never happened that a hospital is closed due to a mistake or a surgery that has gone wrong?”  He further called on the Tanzanian Government to uphold the rule of law by implementing the judgments of the East African Court of Appeal which seeks for the repeal of certain provisions in the Media Services Act of 2016.

The two- day seminar, which brought together 22 journalists from various newspapers houses, radio and television stations as well as young journalists who work online was aimed at developing strategies and launching campaigns for the recruitment of young journalists working online, most of whom are exploited and work under precarious conditions.

The majority of journalists at the seminar lamented that journalists in Tanzania, most especially  freelance journalists work without contracts or any form of social security benefits and  are amongst the poorest paid in the African continent. “Freelance journalists are seriously exploited by media owners and paid far below the minimum wage”.

Various topics of interest were deliberated upon by the participants during the course of the seminar, including Freedom of Expression and the Rights of Journalists working Online; Challenges of Online Security and legislations governing the use of the Internet in Tanzania;  How Technology is transforming Media Business Model;  Sexual  Harassment and Bullying of female journalists online; an impediment to Quality Journalism; and Designing Effective Recruitment and Campaign Strategies for increased youth membership. - International Federation of Journalists

Photo Anadolu Agency

Human rights violations have persisted in Burundi, over a year after President Evariste Ndayishimiye assumed the country’s highest office, a global rights group said on Friday, a claim denied by the government.

In a statement, Human Rights Watch said that in Cibitoke province, Burundian intelligence services, security forces, and members of the ruling party’s youth league have “allegedly killed, disappeared, and tortured real or perceived political opponents and people suspected of having ties with Burundian rebels in neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo.”

People crossing the Rusizi River to travel between DR Congo and Burundi’s Cibitoke province for personal business have apparently been reported missing, and their fate remains unknown, the statement said.

“The combination of rampant corruption, impunity for past abuses, and a crippled judiciary has created the perfect storm for police, national intelligence, and Imbonerakure members to apparently kill, torture, disappear, and steal without consequences,” Lewis Mudge, Central Africa director at Human Rights Watch said in the statement.

Burundi government Prosper Ntahorwamiye spokesman declined to comment when contacted by Anadolu Agency.

However, in a Twitter post, Burundi’s Foreign Minister Albert Shingiro said the report was “politically motivated” and that his government ensures the promotion of human rights and good governance.

The UN Commission of Inquiry on Burundi, established in Sep. 2016 to document alleged human rights violations in the country, concluded on Thursday that “serious human rights violations have continued to be committed by State officials and members of the Imbonerakure (ruling party’s youth league) with the acquiescence of authorities or even at their instigation.”

The Central African country was embroiled in a political crisis that followed the election in 2015 when late former President Pierre Nkurunziza sought a third term in office.

More than 330,000 Burundians fled to Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and DR Congo, following the political crisis, according to the UN.

Under Nkurunziza, the UN Human Rights office was closed and Burundi became the first country to withdraw from the International Criminal Court.

According to the UN Commission, although Ndayishimiye pledged to end impunity and corruption, and made some attempts to rein in the Imbonerakure, reports of killings, enforced disappearances, and torture continue across the country.

“The human rights situation in Burundi remains grave, and the absence of an international investigation would only allow the authorities to hide the abuse from sight,” Mudge said.

“If the Burundian government is serious about reform, it should give external investigators access to the country and work with them to ensure that abusers are held accountable,” he added. - James Tasamba, Anadolu Agency

By JULIUS MBALUTO 

A movie known as Apostle Do Good 2 was premiered yesterday at Dartford Valley, Community Rugby Club, London.

The Series was produced by Toyin Moore, Executive Producers and The Wealth Apostle. Lydia Olet play the wife of an abusive pastor, she gave a rousing performance in this Drama. Apostledogood2 is a thought provoking series set around the modern charismatic Church among Africans in the Diaspora.  

The movie depicts the new generation Pentecostal church which accordingly is in crisis as cases of adultery, betrayal and greed. Lydia Tett Olet was one of the stars featured on the movie.

The premiere was well attended by Kenyans and Nigerians with Tymilife (Samson Otieno-Kenyan UK based musician) entertaining the crowds. Kenya High Commission in London was represented by Mr Allan Mburu. The movie will be showing on Meroewstream from September.

Lydia is the founder of Kenya and Friends in the Park and also took part on Apostle Do Good 1, the first movie. She is also the Founder of Malaika Dance Group. More Photos below..

Businessman Jimi Wanjimi came under a hail of stones from ODM supporters in Migori on September 17, 2021.

Businessman Jimmy Wanjingi came under a hail of stones in Migori Friday, when youths disrupted his roadside rally.

In a viral video, Wanjigi has just started addressing a roadside rally from the sunroof of a four-wheel-drive vehicle when youths started hurling stones at him.

He quickly tucked back before his convoy sped off, causing panic among his entourage and handlers.

“When I say ODM, say Fagia Wote (sweep all of them),” these are the remarks that seem to have infuriated a section of youth who hurled stones directly at him, missing him by a whisker.

Several ODM leaders and officials led by Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna condemned the incident.

“My office is in contact with the office in Migori for a full brief on reported cases of violence targeted at one of our members Mr. Jimmy Wanjigi. I have also tried to reach Mr. Wanjigi on phone to confirm he is OK. Full brief to follow,” he tweeted.

Wanjigi is advocating for democratic nominations in Raila Odinga’s Orange Democratic (ODM) party, describing him as “old and tired.”

“Raila has fought for liberation for the last 30 or so years, so it is time he quits the stage,” Wanjigi was quoted as saying in one his public meetings.

Odinga is eying the presidency on his party, which has never held democratic nominations for the presidential ticket.

And that is what Wanjigi is now advocating for.

On Friday, Wanjigi kicked off his tour of Luo Nyanza, seen as the political bedrock of Odinga, the former Prime Minister.

Wanjigi was earlier scheduled to address a rally at Maranatha Faith Assemblies Church where Orange ODM supporters had started streaming in before it was disrupted.

Youths armed with crude weapons stormed the venue beating up party delegates who scampered for safety.

Majority of the delegates were injured during the fracas that left a trail of destruction in the church.

Police officers were forced to lob teargas to restore nomalcy.

Rev. Joshua Ater, a senior member of the church says they moved swiftly to terminate the contract they had with the ODM officials.

The youths were heard saying they won’t allow Wanjigi to have a meeting in Migori.

Wanjigi’s tour of the Nyanza region was opposed by a section of local party officials who accused him of organizing a tour without informing them.

He arrived in Kisumu on Thursday where he castigated party officials whom he said won’t intimidate him as he seeks to wrestle the ODM party ticket ahead of next year’s General Election.

He was expected to visit Siaya County on Saturday before winding his tour in Kisumu on Sunday where he is scheduled to attend a church service at Kibuye Catholic church. By Ojwang Joe, Capital News