Kwanza Jamii - evidence of impact

By Daraja's Monitoring and Research Officer, Eric Kalunga

Daraja’s  Kwanza Jamii programe’s main goal is to have local print media play an effective role in promoting responsive and accountable local government in rural areas of Tanzania. The Kwanza Jamii newspapers in Njombe and Iringa demonstrate an effective, sustainable and scalable business model for local print media that can then be applied elsewhere by other parties hoping for similar outcomes - like more effective delivery of education, road and health services.

As a model, the newspaper demonstrates that local print media can create pressure, thus encouraging  responsive local government. Over the past two years there have been several cases that have demonstrated this: from a bad situation at Njombe Bus stand that we covered and relevant authorities moved swiftly to improve the situation; to an article about lack of education on HIV/AIDS in Ikondo village located in Njombe district which led to that education being provided there; to a story on access to the capitation grant for secondary schools after which district officials publicly appeared to be upset but secretly confirmed the inadequacy of the grant. These examples are testament to the idea that local media can provide the missing link between poor service provision and government action.

Mwangosi killed, a policeman charged. What next?

"Our pens and cameras are more than their bullets and bombs." Picture from HabariLeo

So finally a policeman has been charged with the murder of Daud Mwangosi. Given the apparent strength of the evidence, and the pressure that the media has put on the government - both through its coverage and its protests - this latest development should not be a surprise. There was no way out.

But we're left with an unsatisfactory half-resolution. There are still lots of unanswered questions.

One policeman may have pulled the trigger on the tear-gas gun that killed Mwangosi, but what about the others who were apparently beating him badly even before the fatal shot was fired? Are they going to be held to account as well or will they be allowed to escape punishment for their disproportionate and unprofessional actions?

What about the Regional Police Commander, who was at the scene, could see what was happening, and did nothing to stop it?

Damu ya Mwangosi kutegua unafiki wa waandishi?

Managing Editor of Daraja's Kwanza Jamii newspapers, Simon Mkina, in his weekly column in Kwanza Jamii Iringa:

Damu ya Mwangosi kutegua unafiki wa waandishi?
Na Simon Mkina

NIMELIA. Nikalia na kulia tena na tena, kila napoona picha ama kusikia wengine wakimlilia mwandishi mwenzetu.

Nalia zaidi nikiona waandishi waliokuwa karibu zaidi na Daudi Mwangosi, yule mwandishi wa Kituo cha Televisheni cha Channel 10, aliyekuwa akiripoti kutoka Iringa.

Daud Mwangosi - A line has been crossed

Channel 10 journalist and chair of the Iringa Press Club, Daud Mwangosi, was killed on Sunday by the police. This horrific and tragic event took place in the village of Nyololo, Mufindi district, during clashes between the police and Chadema supporters.

For once, the brutal details of this brutal killing seem very clear and easily available, as there were 7 other journalists present at the time. Francis Godwin's eyewitness blogpost is highly recommended, as is this post from Frank Leonard (both in Swahili, as are most of the links here). Subi Nukta has collected some photos together, though be warned that some are pretty graphic. And Monday's ITV news included some very clear eyewitness reports (again via Subi Nukta):

Key sources on killing of Daud Mwangosi

A collection of key sources on the Daud Mwangosi killing:

Francis Godwin:
http://francisgodwin.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/hivi-ndivyo-mwanahabari-daud-mwangosi.html

Maggid Mjengwa:
http://www.mjengwablog.com/2012/09/mwandishi-daud-mwangosi-auawa-na-polisi.html
http://www.mjengwablog.com/2012/09/mwenzetu-daud-mwangosi-hatunaye-tena.html
http://www.mjengwablog.com/2012/09/taswira-za-vurugu-zilizotokea-leo.html

Msiba photos:
http://www.mjengwablog.com/2012/09/maandazi-ya-msibani-haya-we-acha-tu.html
http://www.mjengwablog.com/2012/09/nyanya-za-msibani-hizi.html
http://www.mjengwablog.com/2012/09/inasikitisha-mtoto-wa-marehemu-daud.html
http://www.mjengwablog.com/2012/09/mjane-wa-marehemu-akifarajiwa.html
http://www.mjengwablog.com/2012/09/dr-slaa-akitoa-pole-kwa-wafiwa.html
http://www.mjengwablog.com/2012/09/dr-slaa-alipotua-kwenye-msiba-wa-daud.html
http://www.mjengwablog.com/2012/09/afrika-msiba-ni-wa-wote.html
http://www.mjengwablog.com/2012/09/wanakijiji-njia-ninayopendekeza-ya.html
http://www.mjengwablog.com/2012/09/maelfu-wamzika-mwangosi.html
http://www.mjengwablog.com/2012/09/profesa-mwandosya-leo-ameshiriki.html
http://www.mjengwablog.com/2012/09/wanahabari-walipomzika-mwanahabari.html
http://www.mjengwablog.com/2012/09/afrika-msiba-ni-wa-wote-dr-na-profesa.html

World Association of Press Councils' statement on Mwangosi killing

MCT statement following the killing of journalist, Daud Mwangosi