Mbeya. Vice President Dr Philip Mpango has urged public education programme producers to prioritise raising awareness and encouraging community participation in environmental conservation and management.
He said safeguarding the environment is a collective responsibility that requires the involvement of every citizen.
Dr Mpango made these remarks during the closing ceremony of the 109th Annual Meeting of Public Educational Programme Producers, held at the City Park Hall in Mbeya Region.
“Promoting environmental conservation and the use of clean cooking energy requires a collaborative effort involving the media and all stakeholders,” he said.
He said the media and other stakeholders have a critical role to play in promoting environmental preservation and the use of clean cooking energy through their programming rather than only addressing such issues in response to crises such as disease outbreaks, forest fires, or floods.
The Vice President also urged public education programme producers to continuously enhance their knowledge and deliver accurate information on emerging scientific and technological advancements.
“There is also the need to sensitise Tanzanians to embrace technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and the safe use of digital platforms,” he noted.
Furthermore, he called on internet users to uphold ethical standards in the information sector, comply with legal requirements, and respect Tanzania’s cultural values that uphold dignity and humanity.
He cautioned against the misuse of social media, where some users share information that undermines human dignity and respect.
Dr Mpango said public education programming for conservation and clean energy would be effective when proper and standardised Swahili was used.
“Content producers must be ambassadors of fluent and refined Kiswahili. You must ensure that our national language is promoted globally as a key element of Tanzania’s cultural identity,” he remarked.
He further advised conference participants to avoid sensational reporting that could incite unnecessary panic and conflict.
Instead, he encouraged them to provide information that serves the public interest, including civic and voter education, ahead of the 2025 General Election.
He reminded Tanzanians of the importance of maintaining peace and stability during the electoral period.
Increased national radio coverage
The minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Prof Palamagamba Kabudi, said the government has made tremendous efforts to expand national radio coverage.
Listenership increased from 54 per cent in 2016 to 87 per cent in 2024.
He urged public education stakeholders to leverage this expanded reach to disseminate information on key government projects, particularly strategic and social service initiatives, in rural areas to enhance public understanding of government services.
TBC’s commitment to clean energy and environmental Conservation
Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC) director-general, Dr Ayub Rioba, said that this year’s conference theme, Use Clean Energy and Protect the Environment, aligns with the government’s priorities.
He noted that TBC is committed to championing clean energy and environmental conservation, recognising their significance to national interests.
Organised annually by TBC, the Public Education Stakeholders’ Conference aims to build the capacity of public relations and communication officers, enabling them to inform the public more effectively about government initiatives and projects.
The 109th conference was attended by over 280 participants, including senior executives from government institutions, agencies, and departments, as well as public relations and communication officers.
