REPORTING DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP

DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA, March 31 – April 12, 2003

COURSE MANAGER: AYUB RIOBA

FACILITATOR: PRINCE MTELERA
GUEST SPEAKERS: WILLY KITIMA AND JACK MEENA
NSJ OFFICIAL: TELMA MUIANGA
PARTICIPANTS: 16 participants from Lesotho, Swaziland, Botswana,
Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, and Tanzania
WORKSHOP’S DAY TO DAY SUMMARY
DAY ONE:
1. Opening
The workshop was officially opened by Mr. Kassim Mpenda, the Director of
Information Services in Tanzania.
1.2 Briefing
1.1 The course manager welcomed participants and briefed them on course
objectives, life in Dar es salaam and the people.
1.2 Dr. Antwi briefed participants on NSJ and the institution’s objectives.
1.3 Participants introduced each other after one on one interviews.
1.4 Participants gave their expectations from the workshop which were:
 To acquire more skills and techniques in reporting development
 To gain experience from other countries
 To realise the importance of reporting development
 To enhance professional experience
 To have deeper understanding of development particularly in
African context
 To get guidelines on how to report on development.

2. Revisiting Journalism / Defining Development

2.1 Participants were divided into three groups and each was supposed to
discuss and present their understanding of various journalistic concepts.

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 Journalism, it was observed is a noble profession that should be used to
better the welfare of the people.
2.2 Prince Mtelera introduced the topic; defining development. Participants
first gave their impressions of what development meant. Then Prince gave
a lecture defining development. It was observed that the term development
is full of misconceptions that a clear universal definition of development is
elusive. However, simply put, development means improving the quality
of life. Development is contextual, drawing its meaning from the culture of
the society in question.
2.3 Details of content in the session attached.

DAY TWO
2. Understanding development Theories / Different Approaches to
Development
2.1 The three groups discussed the various theories from a handout given
out to them the previous day and made presentations. It was observed
that most development theories prescribe economic strategies that can
work better for ‘highly developed’ modern economies. It was also
observed that Africa needs home grown initiatives to bring about its
own development (using its own people and resources).
2.2 The facilitator gave a lecture after which participants had groups
discussions and presentations. It was observed that there are different
approaches to development and that each has merits and demerits.
2.3 Details of content in the session attached.

DAY THREE
3. Indicators of Development / Types of Development Project / Covering a
Development Project
3.1 After a brief lecture on indicators of development, participants went
into groups to discuss the topic from their own understanding.
Presentations and discussions followed.
3.2 The facilitator introduced the topic types of a development project after
which groups discussion and plenary followed.

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 3.3 The facilitator gave a brief lecture on covering a development project
and thereafter participants discussed the topic in groups.
3.4 Details of content in the session attached.

DAY FOUR
4. Critiquing Stories on Development Projects / Sources and Nature of
Development News
4.1 Participants went through stories in newspapers and gave a critique
using the tools (of analysis) gained from the previous topics.
4.2 After a brief lecture and brainstorming on sources of development
groups discussed more on sources of development news.
4.3 Participants came to a plenary after which the facilitator wrapped up. It
was observed that there were three categories of sources for
development news, namely; Human, Documents and Physical sources.
4.4 Details of content in the session attached.

DAY FIVE
5. Gender Issues and Development News / National Development Plan and
Budget.
5.1 The facilitator gave a brief lecture on gender after which a
brainstorming exercise followed. Participants were engaged in a
simulation exercise to determine stereotyping in gender terms.
5.2 Willy Kitima, the guest lecturer gave a lecture on National
Development Planning and Budget.
5.3 After the lecture there was plenary. The plenary underscored the
significance of planning since resources were always scarce. It was
also observed that it was important for the governments to identify
priority areas in their planning.
5.4 Details of content in the session attached.

DAY SIX
6.1 A visit to Housing Schemes of National Housing Corporation of Tanzania.

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 Participants left at 8.30 am for Boko which is about 30 kilometers from the
city center. At Boko participants toured the low cost housing scheme under
which 200 units of houses are being constructed for ‘low income earners’.

Participants observed that whereas the project was being implemented in the
name of low income earners, the beneficiaries were the senior civil servants
and politicians.

Also, participants observed that the locals found at the area were not involved
in planning the development of the area.

Participants also visited another housing scheme near the sea which is meant
for rich and middle class people. Participants observed further that whereas the
idea of constructing houses for low income earners was positive, the
implementation was not. They noted that a policy was lacking that could
empower the low income earners for them to purchase the houses.

DAY SEVEN
7 Covering the National Budget
7.1 The topic was reviewed to give participants skills that would enable
them cover the national budget more effectively. It was observed that
journalists must prepare themselves to cover the budget in three
stages, namely; pre-budget, during the budget presentation and
finally in implementation of the budget.
7.2 Participants reviewed the issues obtaining from the visit of the
housing schemes on day six.
8.1 Details of content in the session attached.

DAY EIGHT
9. Understanding International Strategy for Poverty Reduction /
Governament Political Propaganda and development Issues
9.1 The guest speaker Jack Meena defined the AGOA and NEPAD
initiatives after which a plenary followed. It was observed that AGOA
may not benefit the indigenous Africans for whom it was started

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 because of several limitations. NEPAD on the other hand, was deemed
to have taken the top bottom approach and also perpetuated
dependency on developed countries.
9.2 A brief lecture on Government Political Propaganda and Development
Issues was followed by group discussions and presentations. It was
observed that whereas propaganda can play both positive and negative
roles in development, in Africa it is characterized by political interests
of the ruling class.
9.3 Details of content in the session attached.

DAY NINE
10. Media Content on Development / Researching for Development News
10.1Prince gave a brief lecture on media content after which participants
had group discussions and presentations. It was observed that for a
story or programme to be complete, it had to be focused, people
oriented and well balanced.
10.2A brief lecture on researching for development news was followed by
brainstorming session. It was observed that there are factors that affect
the individual’s thinking and values, which also affect the way that
person approaches issues. It was therefore underscored that it is
important for the development journalist to be as scientific as possible
in bringing out the truth.
10.3Details of content in the session attached.

DAY TEN
11. Investigative Journalism / Ideas for Investigating development
11.1A brainstorming session seeking to establish constraints to conducting
investigative journalism was followed by an Over Head presentation of
constraints prepared by the facilitator.
11.2The facilitator led participants in defining and giving examples of
investigative journalism in Africa and outside.
11.3Then the facilitator gave a lecture detailing the procedures for
conducting investigative reporting on development issues.
11.4Details of content in the session attached.

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DAY ELEVEN
12. Development Issues in Local Government
12.1The facilitator led a brainstorming session, which sought to establish
the participants’ understanding of local governments.
12.2This was followed by a lecture on local governments structures and
institutions and operations.
12.3The facilitator gave guidelines for covering local governments.
12.4Details of content in the session attached.
NOTE In all the topics that were run,facilitators employed participatory
approach during the sessions. This gave a clear insight in participants’
understanding of the issues at hand.

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 SPECIFIC OBSERVATIONS
1. Overall quality of the course
a. Was the course a success? Yes the course was a success for it met its
set objectives and expectations of the participants.
b. What were the main achievements? The course was a success in that
it enabled the participants to view development as a process rather than
simply being about events. Participants were also able to view
development from an African perspective. Lastly participants were
able to come up with guidelines for reporting development in Africa
c. Should the course be repeated? This course is, as participants
recommended, not only useful to journalists in the region it is very also
essential.
2. Cooperation between NSJ and the Consultant
a. The level and quality of cooperation between the NSJ and the Course
Manager when preparing and during the course. The cooperation was
quite positive. I was provided with the necessary information on time.
Throughout the course the NSJ official was supportive and ensured
things ran smoothly.
3. Curriculum Development
a. Was the process well handled? When I was informed that I had been
recommended to run the workshop, I was comfortable because of one
major reason. I have, in the last five years developed interest in media
and development issues. I have developed a training manual in Civic
Journalism and conducted several workshops using the same. Although
I felt comfortable and competent to handle the workshop topics, I
found there is need to develop (or update in case the NSJ has one) a
training manual on reporting development. I found the topics, which
Dr. Antwi and I subsequently agreed upon, to be quite practical and
useful. The manual could base, mainly, on the same topics.
b. Are there things, which could have been done differently? Apart
from the observation above, everything to me was perfect.
c. What would you have included which was left out? A topic on
ethical issues in reporting development seems to be necessary.

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4. Course Plan
a. How useful a tool was it? Planning was useful for it made the
implementation of the workshop much easier.
b. Was the timing too tight or too lose? The timing was both
appropriate and convenient
c. Was it detailed enough? The course content was detailed enough.
d. Did you have to deviate from the plan? On Sunday, April 6,
participants were given an assignment to observe and prepare a radio
or TV programme of between 15 to 30 minutes on any developmental
issue in Dar es salaam. The topics that were to be taught on Sunday
were shifted to Friday afternoon, (April 4), and on Monday, (April 7,
2003). This was done after participants suggested that they needed a
break from classes on Sunday.
e. Were the practical exercises used effectively? Practical exercises
were used effectively.
f. Any suggestions for improvement? One day, either Saturday or
Sunday should be set aside for a tour of the city in which the workshop
is held. Such tours or excursions are very important to participants
because they learn a lot by seeing, hearing, smelling, touching and
even reflecting on the differences they spot at a new place.

5. Participants
a. Was the group homogenous? The group was well selected. It was a
good mix of female and male participants from different countries. The
age difference was appropriate and enabled free and lively
participation by all participants.
b. What could have been the ideal situation? Suggesting for an ideal
situation in this case would be asking for too much.
6. Logistics
a. Was the accommodation suitable? Yes it was very suitable.
b. What about transport arrangements? All transport arrangements
were made prior to the activity in question.
c. Was the scholarship given to students for their meals adequate?
Yes it was adequate.

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 d. Was the money (budget) available to you adequate for the smooth
running of the course? Yes it was adequate.
7. Venue
a. Was the host institution suitable? Did it offer the right atmosphere
for learning and working? Yes it did. The venue had all the necessary
facilities.
b. What was the quality of cooperation with the institution’s staff?
Yes, very much so.
c. Were there adequate telephones, photocopiers, computers, fax
facilities, and could you use them easily? Yes the facilities were
available and were easily accessed although they were few; i.e.,
computers.
8. Guest Lecturers
a. Give their names and suggest their strengths and weaknesses:
Willy Kitima is a Tanzanian media consultant whose area of
competence is Economics. He has been a banker, an Editor of the
Business Times, a training consultant for Business care Ltd., publishers
of the Business Times and other papers. He and I have conducted
several workshops on economic and business reporting throughout the
country since 1998. He has the experience and is a good teacher.
However, he sometimes is too much of an economist (and loves
statistics) that he can easily leave behind participants with no
background in economics. He is definitely useful for such a workshop
in the future. The course also had Jack Meena from the Tanzania
School of Journalism. He has also been involved in the economic and
business journalism courses with Willy and I. He has been working
closely with NGOs like Tanzania Gender Networking Programme as a
PR consultant. Jack was knowledgeable on the topic he handled, the
NEPAD and AGOA, particularly on what the initiatives are all about.
b. Should they be invited in a similar workshop in future? Yes they
should be invited in future.
9. Your Performance
a. Did you find yourself on top of things during the course? Did you
at times feel lost? Why? As I mentioned above, my background in

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 media and development issues gave me the confidence to conduct the
training. But I also felt more confident after I found how well prepared,
resourceful, competent and committed my colleague Prince Mtelera
was.
10. Recommendations
a. What should the NSJ do in future? Generally speaking I am satisfied
with the NSJ’s arrangements and planning.
b. What other topics should be included in the programme? I noted
that a topic on Ethics and Laws would be essential.
c. Any other recommendations?
i. NSJ should, if it deems necessary, prepare a training manual for
the course (Reporting Development).
ii. NSJ should, in case it is convenient, give the course manager at
least six weeks of preparation prior to the commencement of
the course.
iii. The idea of grooming young trainers like Prince Mtelera is very
positive and brings on the surface hidden African training
potentials.
iv. Since Prince is an intelligent, resourceful, committed and
motivated upcoming trainer, I recommend that he attend
training of Trainers and be included in the NSJ’s list of
trainers.

SIGNED DATE 11.04.2003

AYUB RIOBA,
COURSE MANAGER

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