Title: The Reporting of Julius Nyerere Hydro Power Project (JNHPP): A Case of Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC1) and Independent Television (ITV)

Authors: Henry L. Mambo & Fredy Mwanjala

 Fredy Mwanjala Master Student, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Mass Communication, The Open University of Tanzania (OUT), P.O. Box 23409 Dar es Salaam Tanzania
 Henry L. Mambo Senior Lecturer and Head of Department of Media and Library Studies, the Open University of Tanzania (OUT). Dar es Salaam, The United Republic of Tanzania.
*Correspondence: fredgallas@gmail.com

Abstract

The study is about the reporting of Julius Nyerere Hydro-Power Project (JNHPP) with reference to Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC1) and Independent Television (ITV). The general objective of this study was to assess the reporting of the Julius Nyerere Hydro Power Project (JNHPP) by Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC1) and Independent Television (ITV). The study had the following specific objectives; to assess the coverage of Julius Nyerere Hydro Power Project (JNHPP) by Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC1) and Independent Television (ITV), to measure viewers’ responses on the reporting of Julius Nyerere Hydro Power Project (JNHPP) by Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC1) and Independent Television (ITV), to examine issues covered by Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC1) and Independent Television (ITV) of Julius Nyerere Hydro Power Project (JNHPP), as well as to examine the pattern of reporting by TBC1 and ITV on issues covering JNHPP.Descriptive research design was used and a sample of 66 people was selected from Rufiji, Coastal Region and Dodoma area. Purposive sampling was used to select samples from the particular area for data collection. Questionnaire and observation used as tools of data collection whereby data were analyzed manually and findings presented in tables, graphs and charts.Findings indicated that TBC1 and ITV were covering JNHPP and people were informed about the project although there were improvements that should have been considered. For instance, the results showed that more than 57 percent said there was irregular coverage of JNHPP, which means coverage must have been done on a continuous basis.The study recommends that government officials should make sure they provide information and awareness to people in every short period of time in order for people to know the stages of the construction until its completion as well as the advantages of having this project in the country.

Keywords: News reporting, Julius Nyerere Hydro Power Project (JNHPP), Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC)