Tanzanian Media Boss Receives Martin Luther King Jr. Award

The chairman of the Media Owners Association of Tanzania, Reginald Mengi, was on Thursday awarded the 2008 Martin Luther King Drum Major for Justice Award for his work in promoting responsible and accountable journalism in the country.

Mengi, who is also the IPP (a media group)’s executive chairman, received the award for his endeavours in advancing investigative journalism in Tanzania.

Presenting the award in Dar es Salaam, US ambassador Mark Green said: “Through his own media, Mr. Mengi has empowered journalists to investigate corruption and abuses in a historic way.”

He added: “His media houses have shone a bright light on injustices. Because as Dr. Martin Luther King wrote in his Letter from a Birmingham Jail, ‘Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere’.”

Green said the bold journalism Mengi had championed had undoubtedly promoted a more equitable society in Tanzania.

Speaking during the ceremony, Mengi said he was very delighted with the award in remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who fought for equality and freedom of all Americans.

“Under corruption, there is no equality or freedom. Corruption is an evil which impedes equitable administration of justice, promotes inequality and abuse of power, undermines effective and equitable rule of law and seriously hinders economic development,” Mengi said.

He said the impact of corruption in poor developing countries was even more devastating, whereby the demand for even the smallest bribe could have very serious consequences on the lives of the poor.

He added that corruption, however small, must be fought resolutely without fear or favor.

Source African Press Agency

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