Browsing by Author "Jesse, James Elisa Mchome"

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    An inquiry into the right to freedom of expression for promotion of good governance in Tanzania
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2015) Jesse, James Elisa Mchome
    At the beginning of the Millennium, in September, 2000, all one hundred and ninety-three Member States of the United Nations, and several international non-governmental and inter-governmental organisations, came together at the Millennium Summit and agreed to achieve eight millennium development goals (MDGs) within 15 years. They agreed to work together to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger; achieve universal primary education; promote gender equality and empower women; reduce child mortality rates; improve maternal health; combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases; ensure environmental sustainability and develop a global partnership for development. They also agreed that success in meeting these objectives depends, inter alia, on good governance within each country. This Thesis looks at the role of the right to freedom of expression and access to information in supporting the fundamental principles of good governance such as transparency, efficiency and accountability. The findings of this study have established that Tanzania embraces good governance in words but not in deeds. The study argues that respect and protection of freedom of expression and access to information within the standards set by the African and international human rights law are central to good governance. If information about what the government is doing is available in a meaningful form, it is used to evaluate performance and highlight areas in need of improvement. If not, it can conceal failure and impede development. The existing policy and legal framework controlling the right to freedom of expression and access to information in Tanzania is not adequate to sustain good governance. It needs reform to entrench the culture of transparency, accountability and responsiveness, which are vital elements of good governance, and thereby facilitate the building and sustenance of the governance that is capable of achieving the MDGs.