THE media is one of the most powerful tools in the world as not only does it inform, entertain and educate, it also shapes the social, economic and political spheres. It also plays a vital role in the dissemination of public health knowledge.

Most of the governments in power in the world are there because the media played a critical role to educate and inform the public on what they have done.  

Noting the great role played by the media, the third President of the United States of America Thomas Jefferson was once reported to have written that; “If I had to choose between a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.”   

His statement may have been written in 1787 but it certainly remains to be valid now as it was then, that the power of the media is mightier than that of the bullet.  This however does not mean we can do without the government, nay, but it means that all governments need the press to support them in their work.

It is due to the same sentiments that Tanzania has been able to overcome a lot of challenges both social, political and economic due to responsible media reportage where scribes and media outlets have gone against all odds to ensure that they adhere to media ethics for the country to overcome political, social and economic hurdles just to mention a few.    

Perhaps what is even more notable is the fact that in recent years, the country has found itself in the middle of deadly pandemics yet the media has helped to alleviate its further effects through informative programmes and articles which have seen the public learn the dos and don’ts.  

In the past, the country was marred by regular cholera outbreaks however, thanks to the awareness created through community radios and the traditional media; cholera has disappeared and is now no longer a pandemic that pays us a visit during mangoes seasons as it was then.

Media serves as a primary source of information about the disease, transmission methods, symptoms and preventive measures. It helps combat misinformation which can worsen a pandemic.

Governments and health organizations use media to promote mask-wearing, hand washing, vaccination, and social distancing. Through public service announcements as well as expert interviews help reinforce these messages.

Earlier this year, our country was put to yet another test as two cases of Marburg were declared in January, 2025 in the Kagera region.  

The Ministry of Health in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) joined hands with the network of community radios in Tanzania where they went to Kagera to conduct a capacity building to journalists to enable the latter to create public awareness on the scourge.   

In her opening speech, Kagera Region Commissioner Fatma Mwasa called upon journalists to become envoys to create awareness on the pandemic.

“In news, being wise means reporting accurately and abstaining from misinformation,” stressed the RC.

For her part, Edna Motuli, a representative from UNICEF reiterated the UN agency’s commitment to continue with the collaboration with the government to conduct training to various groups inclusive of health service providers at the community level, traditional healers, motorbike alias ‘bodaboda’ drivers and other groups.

The partnership mentioned above worked so well and is recommendable for the country to handle all health  issues as it certainly has worked well as a few weeks ago, the government declared that no new cases on Marburg had been reported.  

Notably, even as I write this piece, all is well.  The powerful role of the media proves yet what Thomas Jefferson said several decades ago.    Whatever has been done to do away with Marburg, is certainly worthy to note in dealing with the various challenges that we may face as a country as the media proves once again that its power is a force to reckon with.  ENDS