Browsing by Author "Omari, Ahmed Salum"

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    State of investigative journalism on grand corruption in Tanzania: a case study of Mwananchi newspaper
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2016) Omari, Ahmed Salum
    This study assessed the state of investigative journalism in combating grand corruption in Tanzania using Mwananchi newspaper as a case study. Specifically, the study examined the knowledge of journalists on investigative journalism; the depth of newspaper coverage of investigative stories on grand corruption; and the standard of investigative journalism practice in the country. The data were collected through questionnaire administered with newspaper reporters and in-depth interviews with newspaper editors. In addition, Mwananchi newspaper was subjected to content analysis to determine the frequency of coverage, news sources, as well as investigative and potentially investigative stories on grand corruption. The key findings of the study reveal that the standard of investigative journalism in Tanzania remains rather limited. Moreover, the journalists’ knowledge on the practice was found to be inadequate due to lack of proper training in investigative journalism, inadequate funding and political meddling. In consequence, these factors cumulatively limited the instigative journalism’s role in the fight against grand corruption as the resultant stories lacked depth and quality and were more informational rather than analytical. Thus, investigative-based stories on grand corruption are generally lacking in Tanzania’s newspapers. Although Mwananchi has been widely covering issues on grand corruption scandals, many of these stories were largely potentially investigative because they were not a result of the journalists’ own investigation. On the other hand, newspapers have succeeded in creating awareness on the existence of grand corruption in the country. The study also recommends that the government, media owners and general public should invest more in investigative journalism especially in capacity-building of investigative journalists and equipment.