Unpaid Workers, Unfulfilled Promises: Crisis at Media Organization in Tanzania & Nigeria
By Adonis Byemelwa
Lagos: In the bustling corridors of Media Company in Mikocheni, Dar es Salaam, and across the media landscape in Nigeria, a silent crisis brews. Amid the daily hustle and bustle, the once-vibrant atmosphere is now tinged with frustration and despair.
Workers, both in Tanzania and Nigeria, face the harsh reality of unpaid salaries and systemic inequalities that threaten to undermine the very foundation of journalistic integrity.
Toun Okewale Sonaiya, Chief Executive Officer of Women FM 91.7, recently delivered a sobering message during a program for journalists in Lagos, Nigeria. She warned, “Poverty is very expensive.” Her words struck a chord, resonating with journalists grappling with unpaid salaries not only in Tanzania but also in Nigeria.
As the plight of unpaid workers at Media Organization unfolds, it serves as a glaring reminder of the deep-seated inequalities within the media industry, not just in Tanzania but also in Nigeria. Employees, including this columnist, have gone without pay for six long months, their grievances overlooked amidst the company’s glossy facade.
Anonymous voices, emboldened by online platforms like Jamii Forum in Tanzania and similar platforms in Nigeria, have shed light on the harsh realities faced by media employees. Tales of discriminatory treatment and unfulfilled promises have tarnished the company’s reputation, exposing its moral bankruptcy for all to see.
In a scathing exposé, Some medium in Nigeria laid bare the inner workings of a company in crisis. Behind the veneer of success lies a tale of neglect and mismanagement. While the focus is on Tanzania, the situation mirrors that in Nigeria, where media organizations grapple with similar challenges.
Kayode Ladeinde, Executive Editor at TVC News, emphasized the importance of consumer engagement in media products during a recent conference in Lagos.
He stressed the need to consider both paying and non-paying audiences, cautioning against compromising standards for the sake of advertisers. Ladeinde’s words resonate with the other media struggle to balance profitability with journalistic integrity, a challenge faced by media organizations in both Tanzania and Nigeria.
Kolapo Olapoju, Senior Editor at The Cable News in Nigeria, highlighted various funding options for journalism businesses during the same conference.
He highlighted the importance of quality work in attracting funding, urging journalists to leverage modern technology to their advantage. Olapoju’s insights shed light on other Media financial woes and the need for innovative revenue streams, a dilemma shared by media outlets in Nigeria.
Amid the turmoil, questions linger: How did the most famous media organizations, once a beacon of journalism, fall from grace? Can they reclaim their lost glory, or will it fade into obscurity? These questions echo not only in Tanzania but also in Nigeria, where media organizations grapple with similar challenges.
In the face of adversity, one thing remains clear: the need for accountability and transparency in both Tanzania’s and Nigeria’s media landscapes,” emphasized Toun Okewale Sonaiya, CEO of Women FM 91.7, during her address on Media Business and Technology Implications for Entrepreneurs.
She urged online media practitioners to harness creativity to enhance their business profitability, emphasizing the crucial role of innovation in journalism. “Poverty is very expensive,” she remarked. “If you need to succeed in this business of Journalism, you need to be creative to make money. Innovation is a very important and consistent matter in whatever you are doing.”
Sonaiya, an experienced broadcaster, underscored the importance of proactivity and credibility in the journalism profession. She encouraged fellows to explore unconventional avenues, such as live Instagram programs, as a means of engaging followers and generating revenue.
“Credibility matters most in the journalism profession,” she asserted. “Doing a live Instagram program could also be a way of getting recognized by your followers and in turn generate revenue from such programming due to the level of innovation and credibility one attaches to such a program.”
As the sun sets on some media organizations across Nigeria, the echoes of unpaid workers’ cries reverberate through their halls, a poignant reminder of the cost of silence and the price of integrity. In the face of adversity, the call for accountability and transparency grows louder, echoing the sentiments of journalists striving for a better tomorrow.
Only time will tell if employer of some media organizations and its counterparts in Nigeria can weather the storm and emerge stronger, or if they will succumb to the pressures of an unforgiving industry. But one thing is certain: the resilience of the human spirit and the unwavering commitment to truth will continue to guide the way forward.
Despite these challenges, Tanzania’s media landscape paints a vibrant picture of cultural diversity and socio-political complexity.
With over 218 registered radios, including 42 community stations, and a plethora of newspapers, magazines, television stations, and online platforms, the nation’s media ecosystem offers a diverse array of voices and perspectives.
In his astute observation, Francis Ng’atigwa of Saint Augustine University of Tanzania asserts, “Tanzania’s media scene reflects the nation’s multifaceted identity, but true press freedom requires a deeper commitment to investigative journalism and critical analysis.”
Former Director of Information, Dr. Hassan Abbass (left), being congratulated by SAUT University lecturer Dr.Fr. Francis Ng’atigwa after being awarded his PhD. On December 17, 2016.
Drawing parallels to historical examples such as the struggles for independence in Zimbabwe and Uganda, Fr. Dr. Ng’atigwa highlights the potency of a few influential news outlets with robust ideas that can effect change within a community.
He implies that the impact of media is not determined by the sheer number of outlets but rather by the quality and depth of their content.
Fr. Dr. Ng’atigwa raises skepticism regarding reports that rank Tanzania higher in press freedom compared to other East African countries, dismissing them as potentially influenced by populism and lacking rigorous analysis.
He suggests that such assessments may serve political agendas, particularly in the lead-up to elections, rather than genuinely reflecting the state of press freedom in the country. He criticizes editorial decisions that he perceives as being driven by political interests rather than journalistic integrity.
Amidst this backdrop of media dynamics, the plight of unpaid workers at media companies in Nigeria stands as a stark reminder of the challenges facing journalists and media organizations.
While Tanzania’s media landscape boasts diversity and vibrancy, the struggle for integrity and fairness persists, casting a shadow over the broader African media landscape. In the face of adversity, the need for accountability and transparency remains paramount, echoing the sentiments of journalists striving to uphold the principles of truth and justice.
