The Minister in charge of Cabinet Affairs, Protais Musoni, has called upon private media practitioners in the country to always strive for professional journalism.

Musoni made the call, on Friday, while addressing over 50 journalists during a-one-day workshop on issues on self regulation.

The workshop was organized by Forum of Private Newspapers (FPN) in collaboration with Article 19, an international organization which promotes the rights of journalists and their freedom of expression in the world.

"There is a government will to make self regulation a success story in this country, but I encourage you as media practitioners to play a key role in the implementation of this issue," Musoni said.

He requested them to sensitize the local community to clearly understand the importance of the media reforms that are ongoing in the country.

The minister also warned media practitioners against engaging in cases of defamation in order to promote their career and to contribute to the country’s socio-economic development.

The Executive Secretary of Media High Council (MHC), Patrice Mulama, said: "Media reforms will enable media practitioners to achieve a well developed and vibrant media in the country”:

Henry Maina, the Director of Article 19 in East Africa, said that the main objective of media regulation in any country is to safeguard the rights of journalists and to develop an independent and pluralistic media.

"Media self-regulation can only prosper alongside a legal framework which strongly guarantees freedom of expression and right to information,” he said.

Maina also briefed the participants on various issues concerning the code of conduct for professional journalists. 

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