Journalists are being encouraged to use their pens, professional skills, and expertise to bring environmental challenges within society to light, given that the environment is currently undergoing significant degradation—a major driver of accelerating climate change.
This was stated by the Executive Director of MAIPAC, Mr. Musa Juma, while launching a two-day seminar for journalists focused on environmental issues, held at the Mbezi Garden Hotel in Dar es Salaam.
He noted that there is a wide array of environmental challenges, and it is incumbent upon journalists to highlight them to help prevent further environmental destruction—damage that will ultimately harm those who rely on the environment, especially human beings.
Mr. Juma cited the current proposal to construct a dry port in Temeke—while deprioritizing the planned dry port in Bagamoyo—as an example. He urged journalists to examine this issue in depth and conduct research into the potential impacts of such a development.
“I call upon journalists to investigate and highlight the challenges that could arise from building a dry port in Temeke instead of Bagamoyo; uncover the potential consequences for local residents, traffic congestion, infrastructure, people’s livelihoods, and much more,” said Mr. Juma. Juma
Another project that journalists have been advised to monitor—and regarding which they should highlight environmental challenges—is the development of a commercial hub in Sinza. Preliminary steps are already underway to assess compensation for Sinza residents, with the project slated for implementation by 2040.
The seminar, which took place from November 4 to 5, 2026, aimed to build the capacity of journalists in reporting on environmental issues. It covered how to research and understand environmental laws, how to access legal support when facing difficulties, and how to achieve economic empowerment.
Mr. Juma emphasized that the environment is our life; therefore, destroying it means destroying our own lives. He urged journalists to identify and highlight challenges within these projects early on—before implementation reaches a stage where halting the project becomes difficult. He further noted that this applies not only to these specific projects but to many others, where journalists should uncover potential issues well before implementation begins.
