Tanzanian PM orders senior gov't officials to stop using private journalists in official duties

DAR ES SALAAM, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa on Monday ordered senior government officials to stop using journalists from private media houses in the official duties, saying doing so endangered national security.

Speaking at a meeting that brought together about 400 government information, communication and public relations officers in Mwanza city on the shores of Lake Victoria, Majaliwa said some senior government officials have cultivated the habit of using journalists from private media, leaving those employed by the government.

"This malpractice should stop immediately because it has negative impacts, including putting in danger our national security," said the Prime Minister.

He directed the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports to give him names of senior government officials who shunned government information, communication and public relations officers, and instead opted to engage in private journalists.

Majaliwa said the government was using resources to employ and develop government information and communication officers but they were not engaged accordingly.

He said government information and communication officers should be given support by government institutions they were working with in ensuring that correct information reached the people.

"Ministers and regional commissioners should supervise government information and communication officers in fulfilling their responsibilities," said Majaliwa.

At the same time, the Prime Minister said he was annoyed by government information officers who failed to do their work despite being provided with all working facilities.

"Some of them do not know what the ministers, permanent secretaries and directors of government institutions were doing in a day, a week and even in a month," said Majaliwa.

"You should know that the government will not tolerate such information officers because they are a burden to the government," he added.