By Lake Zone Watch writer
The Mwanza Press Club (MPC) has warned its members against engaging in corruption because the practice can kill independent journalism as politicians, government officials and businesspeople fight to inflict criminal wrongdoing and ethical indiscretions into the profession.
The warning follows the emergence of a social media video which showed one MPC member (named withheld) thanking Sengerema Member of Parliament Hamisi Mwagao Tabasamu presenting a gift of goat and sheep meat to some journalists as part of celebrating New Year 2024.
“The MPC condemns this act because it is against professional conduct. A journalist should not receive money or any gift from politicians, government officials or businesspeople as the practice is a conflict of interest in his or her chosen profession,” said a statement issued by MPC in Mwanza yesterday.
The statement underscored the importance of independent journalism as indisputably a public good since by reporting on the events shaping the world and exposing criminal wrongdoing and, especially by those in power, journalists enable informed debate, strengthen accountability, and protect people’s rights and interests.
MPC chairman Edwin Soko warned journalists as they head to this year’s local government elections and the 2025 general elections that corruption is never a victimless crime, but its consequences are especially devastating in a country, where endemic bribery and flagrant repression converge with dramatic consequences.
“The community expects journalists to adhere to their professional code of conduct as we head to the 2024 and 2025 local government and general elections respectively,” he explained.
To the lakezonewatch.com admin, Your posts are always insightful and valuable.
Thanks for the article post. Cool.