Committee pushes for AI guidelines in media

DAR ES SLAAM: THE committee tasked with assessing the economic status of media houses and journalists’ welfare has put forth six recommendations, including devising guidelines for the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Tanzania’s media sector.

The chairperson of the committee, veteran journalist Tido Mhando, said in Dar es Salaam yesterday during the second Media Sector Development Symposium that other sectors in the country have already engaged in discussions on ways to embrace AI, and the media should not lag behind.

“AI is rapidly growing; it cannot be ignored. It is high time for the media fraternity in the country to look into its challenges and opportunities so that guidelines on its usage can be formed,” he said.

Mr Mhando noted that other sectors in the country have already started discussing possible ways of using AI and how to guide its usage and control to avoid inconveniences.

The committee also proposed that the Media Training Fund established by the 2016 Media Services Act should be strengthened to support media and technology startups.

“The committee sees this fund as very important and believes that if it is empowered, it will not only support the sector but also increase employment opportunities for Tanzanians,” Mr Mhando said.

He added that with the growing contribution of technology in media operations, the government should provide support to the fund and to media technology startups and allocate a special budget for this purpose.

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He further added that the area would create job opportunities for many young people who want to invest in media technology activities in the country.

Furthermore, the committee said the media had previously faced difficulties due to legal and political setbacks, a situation which led to selfcensorship, avoiding covering stories that hold public officials accountable.

“This type of journalism has two significant negative impacts: it weakens journalism that focuses on public accountability, which is crucial for society, and it creates a generation with poor critical thinking ability due to the prevalence of trivial content,” Mhando said.

As the government is preparing a new media and broadcasting policy, the committee asked the government to reconsider and allow the possibility of increasing foreign investment from 49 per cent to 75 percent in the media, which will significantly improve the economic situation of the sector.

He added that a major concern encountered while collecting stakeholders’ opinions is debt, with several government and private institutions owing the media.

“These long-standing debts have contributed to the deterioration of the media and broadcasting sector in the country. On behalf of the stakeholders in this sector, we remind public and private institutions to fulfill their obligations and pay the debts,” he emphasized.

Mr Mhando added that due to delayed payments for services they offer, most media houses fail to pay Value Added Tax (VAT) on time.

Hence, the committee asked the government to consider allowing the media outlets to pay taxes after collecting their debts.