Photo captions as shown in the article: The late Mwalimu Nyerere. The late Mzee Mwinyi. Mr Madaraka Nyerere (right), receives a plaque of recognition on behalf of his late father, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, from Vice-President, Dr Philip Mpango, during a ceremony held early this week in Arusha. (Photo by Paul Mzungute).
By The Arusha News Reporter
Tanzania’s founder President Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere and his successor, Mzee Ali Hassan Mwinyi were posthumously honoured for pioneering press freedom during the 30th Anniversary celebrations of the Media Council of Tanzania (MCT), held alongside the second Pan-African Media Councils Summit at the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC) early this week.
They were also celebrated for democratic reforms and conservation efforts across the African continent.
Mwalimu Nyerere’s legacy on liberation, media, conservation
The late Mwalimu Nyerere was recognised for his strategic use of the media during the liberation struggle for Southern Africa and his lifelong advocacy for African unity, education and cultural preservation. His efforts to establish public broadcasting stations in countries such as Zimbabwe, Namibia and Botswana positioned the media as a tool for empowerment and continental solidarity.
Mwalimu Nyerere’s commitment to conservation was also celebrated by recalling his landmark 1961 “Arusha Manifesto,” which called for the protection of Africa’s wildlife for future generations. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, remains a shining example of his vision for biodiversity and peaceful coexistence with indigenous communities.
Mzee Mwinyi recognised for media pluralism, democratic reform
The second posthumous award was presented to the late Ali Hassan Mwinyi for ushering in an era of media pluralism, private ownership of media houses and the independence of non-statutory regulatory bodies like the MCT. Mwinyi’s leadership during Tanzania’s transition to multiparty democracy in the 1990s was credited with creating an enabling environment for media freedom and professional self-regulation.
Zanzibar President, Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi, received the award on behalf of his late father, while a son of the late President Julius Nyerere, Madaraka Nyerere, received the award on behalf of the Nyerere family.
High-level participation and continental dialogue
The commemorative ceremony was officiated by Tanzania’s Vice-President (VP), Dr Philip Mpango, representing President Samia Suluhu Hassan. In his remarks, Dr Mpango reaffirmed the government’s commitment to a free and responsible media and urged journalists to uphold ethical standards amid rising challenges such as artificial intelligence, misinformation and the growing traffic of fake news.
The VP implored the African media to tell real, homegrown stories that reflect the continent’s achievements, particularly in fields like science and technology. Mr Mpango said the media should move away from outdated portrayals of Africa as a “dark continent” and instead shine a light on its progress and innovation.
He also called on African media councils to stay committed, boost training to counter misinformation, handle public complaints quickly and work together to build a strong and impactful media environment across the continent.
The summit, under the theme “Advancing Media and Communication Regulations for Journalism Excellence in Africa,” had attracted delegates from across the continent. Adding depth to the discussions, a panel moderated by Kenyan media expert Nancy Booker featured Tanzania’s ministers Jerry Silaa and Palamagamba Kabudi. The panel explored intersections between technology, governance, ethics and journalism in the digital age.
