CCM kicks out journalist over ‘unfavourable coverage’

Chama Cha Mapinduzi has asked a Mwananchi Communications Limited (MCL) journalist embedded in Dr John Magufuli’s campaign entourage to leave, apparently over claims of unfavourable coverage of the party’s presidential candidate.

Mr Peter Elias, who was reporting for MCL publications-The Citizen, Mwananchi and Mwananspoti- was dropped from the team of journalists covering Dr Magufuli’s rallies, after Mwananchi newspaper run a story titled: ‘Dk Magufuli akabiliana na Ukawa Mbeya’ (Meaning Dr Magufuli face off with Ukawa in Mbeya).

In the story, Dr Magufuli was reported to have encountered Chadema supporters who saluted him using the opposition party’s two finger salute as well as songs and slogans.

It was reported that Dr Magufuli acknowledged the area was a Chadema stronghold but appealed for the support of the chanting group to spear head development in the area.

He told them to give him “peoples’ power” so that he could make “Mbeya for change (M4C),” in reference to the opposition party’s slogans. The group was reported roaring back in appreciation as the CCM candidate continued to plead for their votes.

However, on Monday evening while in Iringa, Mr Elias was asked by CCM information officer Mr Godfrey Chongolo not to continue to report Dr Magufuli’s rallies, saying the party was disappointed by the said Mbeya story.

Mr Elias said he was instead told by Mr Chongolo that the Mbeya story should have been on how “Chadema youths rioted at Dr Magufuli’s rally.”
According to Mr Elias, the CCM officer accused him of sabotaging Dr Magufuli’s campaign to win the presidency.

“We are in a war for state house and when you write a story of how Dr Magufuli was met by pro-Chadema songs, slogans and sign, you are trying to imply that they (the youths) don’t support our candidate,” Chongolo told Mr Elias.

BIASED AGAINST RULING PARTY

The MCL journalist said Mr Chongolo told him that he had no personal issue with him but rather Mwananchi newspaper which he claimed is biased against the ruling party. He however said his removal did not mean to bar MCL Journalists from covering their meetings.

Mr Chongolo said he would contact the company’s management to sort out the matter.

When reached Wednesday over the move, CCM publicity and ideology secretary Mr Nape Nnauye said he had heard about the incident before hanging up on the caller. Dr Magufuli’s campaign head of information Mr January Makamba could not be reached for his comments.

In his reaction, Mwananchi Communications’ executive editor Mr Bakari Machumu said the company was dismayed at the move but assured that it will not be discouraged to carry on with its public duty to inform.

“We as a company have bored the cost of keeping our reporter embedded in the campaign teams of the presidential candidates. But because the candidates are moving fast and through many places at the same time, we were forced to use the transport means from the concerned parties,” Mr Machumu said.

OP The East African