Major factors influencing journalistic performance in Tanzania: The Case of the Press in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

This study sought to investigate major factors influencing journalistic performance in Tanzania. This came as a result of the analysis from some critical newspaper readers that the press was performing poorly in terms of the content and quality of writing, particularly during the post-reform period of the 1990s. Journalists working for twelve quality newspapers were sampled. The study showed that there was more than one factor for the incompetence. However, lack of journalistic training and/or poor quality of education was singled out as the major factor. Other factors for poor performance included: poor payment, poverty, lack of motivation, media owners’ personal interests, poor working environment, disrespect, manipulation, corruption, inertia, sexual harassment, lack of equipment as well as the 1993 Media Policy and the 1976 Newspaper Act. At the conceptual level, the study grappled with the difficulty of defining who a journalist was and whether journalism qualified to be called a profession. The study was guided by two theories: social responsibility and libertarian. The study also showed that the government failed to put in place professional training for Tanzanian journalists while giving priority to other professions. It was recommended that efforts should be directed towards proper education and training for journalists. It was also recommended that Tanzania should have a Freedom of Information Act as well as a comprehensive media policy to support and promote the values of the profession. Finally, the study recommended further research into a methodological approach to teaching journalism.