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U.S. Public Affairs Officer, Jeffery A. Salaiz hands over a consignment of 24 journalism and media-related books to Dr. Bernadeta Kilian, Director of the Institute of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Dar es Salaam, Thursday, May 21.

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U.S. Public Affairs Officer, Jeffery A. Salaiz hands over a consignment of 24 journalism and media-related books to Dr. Bernadeta Kilian, Director of the Institute of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Dar es Salaam, Thursday, May 21.

Journalism Books Handover

Venue: Institute of Journalism & Mass Communication, University of Dar es Salaam

May 21, 2009

Remarks by Public Affairs Officer Jeffery A. Salaiz (as prepared)

Good afternoon. It is a pleasure to join you as we handover this small consignment of journalism and media-related books to the Institute of Journalism and Mass Communication. In his inauguration address, President Obama declared, “to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more.”

As the President deals with the many challenges facing him early in the first few months in office, one thing he has made clear is that the United States knows we have to do a better job of listening to our allies and friends, including Tanzania. President Obama is hosting President Kikwete at the White House today. President Kikwete is the first African head of state to be welcomed to the Obama White House. Tanzania is one of our strongest partners in sub-Saharan Africa. Our two leaders will meet today to discuss a wide range of regional and bilateral issues, but most importantly, how the United States can support sound governance, economic development, and stability throughout the continent. The President looks forward to working closely with President Kikwete to tackle shared challenges, including the global financial crisis and its impact on sub-Saharan Africa.

Our outreach to the rest of the world has already been significant. Hillary Clinton, our Secretary of State—which is our Foreign Minister—has already made several trips overseas, as has the President, to various countries. And following on today's conversations, our connections with Africa will deepen over the course of the next months and indeed, throughout the Administration's tenure. In July, President Obama will visit Ghana, and in August Secretary Clinton is expected to visit Kenya.

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Earlier this week, Secretary Clinton made remarks to a Global Press Conference conducted at the Foreign Press Center in Washington, DC. She said," we believe that a free press is an integral part of our democracy." She also emphasized that President Obama is determined to continue the United States’ commitment to media freedom worldwide.

Last year, Minister of State Khatib (a former Minister of Information himself), stated there are 245 newspapers, 68 radio stations, and six television stations operating throughout Tanzania. This is a world of difference from just two decades ago. And in the past few years, we have witnessed the significant role the press is playing in Tanzanian civil society. There is a vibrant media fraternity here. The large number of media houses is not only increasing competition, it’s also increasing the quality of journalism.

We strongly support non-governmental organizations that promote a free press worldwide, including training for journalists, editors and media managers. One of the key areas we are most proud of, is the training the United States has provided for over 300 journalists throughout Tanzania in investigative reporting to help root out corruption. We will continue to offer these training opportunities, because we like what we see in the Tanzanian media today.

We know that in order to maintain the level of quality of journalism, you all must have the skills necessary to properly report on events. Every day should be another opportunity to strengthen your skills. We often send journalists to the U.S. for training.

We sent a journalist from Daily to study at the University of Maryland on a Hubert Humphrey Fellowship. Last year, we sent six journalists for an intensive practical course to the University of Maine. We intend to send nine more Tanzanian journalists for media training in Maine.

We also sent one journalist to cover the U.S. presidential elections in November. He was embedded with the New Hampshire Sentinel in New Hampshire, one of the many battleground states. We expect his experience will help provide better coverage of events here as Tanzania gears up for its own elections next year. Early next month, we are sending a journalist from The Guardian to cover the HIV/AIDS Implementers conference in Namibia to report the latest news about PEPFAR--the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.

I encourage you to visit us at the U.S. Mission in Msasani. We are open to the public daily and have periodicals, reference materials and internet access all free of charge available to you in our Information Resource Center. You can learn more about these various training opportunities I have just mentioned by also visiting us on line at http://tanzania.usembassy.gov.

In our 21st century world, the free flow of information and ideas within countries and across international borders can be a powerful force for understanding and positive change. Take for example the use of new social networking tools that you use every day, including Facebook. Last year, two university students in Colombia organized 14 million people worldwide to participate in the largest anti-terrorism demonstration in history. These individuals came together and did more to dismantle the FARC network in a few weeks than had been done in years of military action.

Independent print, broadcast and online media serve as indispensable sources of fact and opinion. An independent media exposes abuses of authority, fights corruption, challenges assumptions, and provides a healthy outlet for the peaceful airing of concerns and ideas. A free media is essential to an informed citizenry.

We know that without media freedom, there can be no democracy. A free media is also instrumental to creating the climate of transparency and accountability necessary to sustain development.

Across the globe, rulers who seek to wield unchecked power see the free media as a threat and try to control, constrain or silence it. Repressive methods used against media outlets and individual members of the media include: restrictive media and Internet laws and burdensome regulations, taxes and fees; libel and defamation laws that are too broadly written or applied for political reasons; efforts designed to narrow media diversity and block citizens' access to independent views; direct censorship or intimidation; and the targeting of members of the media and Internet bloggers for harassment, imprisonment, physical attack and even murder.

I would like to reaffirm to you today the strong commitment of the United States to the cause of media freedom worldwide. We will champion media freedom through our diplomatic efforts and through our exchange and assistance programs, working in partnership with non-governmental organizations. And not only on World Press Freedom Day, but every day throughout the year, we will stand in solidarity with courageous men and women of the media who are persecuted for exercising and defending the fundamental right to freedom of expression.

The United States government is strongly committed to media freedom worldwide and will work in partnership with other governments, multilateral institutions, NGOs and individuals around the world to that end.

We will continue to report and denounce violations of freedom of expression and restriction on free media. Each year in the Annual Country Reports on Human Rights, we track media freedom as a key focus of the reports. We are working to build a stronger foundation for international media freedom by providing assistance for production of radio and television programs that are independent of state-controlled media, and funding programs for Internet access and training.

Furthermore, countries must demonstrate a commitment to media freedom to be eligible for Millennium Challenge Corporation Compacts. Freedom of the Press is a component in three of the Millennium Challenge Corporation's Ruling Justly Indicators: Civil Liberties Indicator, Political Rights Indicator, and the Voice and Accountability Indicator. The U.S. and Tanzania signed the largest compact in history--$698.1 million dollars over five years—in February 2008.

We know that journalists in Tanzania continue to be threatened to this day because of some of the stories they write. And we understand that some media houses also feel pressure from certain quarters to remain silent. Let me assure you the U.S. will continue to do whatever it can to promote and protect press freedom and speak out when we must.

Americans believe that journalism is a noble profession, one that comes with great power--but also with great responsibility. As you embark on your careers with the media, we urge you to not take this responsibility lightly. Your fellow wananchi and the entire Tanzanian nation is counting on you.

Asanteni sana. Thank you.