How influential is JamiiForums in Tanzanian politics and public life in general?

[Kitila Mkumbo]

I was reading an article on the political economy of Tanzania, which discusses a number of issues including the state of CCM and opposition in the country. One of the issues that is extensively covered in this article is the role played by the media in the promotion of democracy.

Notably, JamiiForums emerges as the most influential media in promoting Government accountability. Unfortunately, I cannot post the whole article here because it is not in the public domain as yet. But here is the excerpt on JamiiForums:

"Internet access is not widespread in Tanzania, but its impact on government oversight is increasingly visible. Jamii Forums provides the clearest example. The website contains more criticism of the government than any radio station, TV channel, or newspaper.

In addition, the site has been a source of government accountability. Most prominently, the Richmond corruption scandal emerged on JamiiForums. CCM clearly views the website as a threat.

For example, in a CCM meeting in April 2011, Vice-President [Vice Chairman] Pius Msekwa remarked, "Jamii Forums.. works to undermine CCM and the government". JamiiForums clearly viewed Msekwa's comment as a warning, and to its credit, stood up to him".

 

[Viol]

Tumekusikia Dr. Tunasubiri uje umtoe Mwingulu huko jimboni kwake 2015

Sent from BlackBerry 9800 using JamiiForums

 

[TUMBIRI]

Pamoja sana Mwalimu wangu Kitila Mkumbo.

 

[only83]

Nimewai kuwekea post hapa JF juu ya "Kwanini viongozi wa Serikali na wanachama wa CCM wanapenda kuihusisha JF na CHADEMA?" Bahati mbaya MODS waliifunga ile thread. Anyway, my idea that time, ilikuwa JF imekuwa ni moja ya avenue ambayo majadiliano ya kina yanafanyika juu ya udhaifu wa watawala, na hata wakati mwingine udhaifu wa oppossition parties particularly CHADEMA. Nadhani inatosha kusema kuwa, JF ni moja ya sehemu ambapo mustakabali wa hii nchi unajadiliwa na kutengenezwa kwa sasa. Ninajiamini kwa kusema, BAADA YA UKOMBOZI WA PILI WA TAIFA HILI vizazi vyetu vitaitaja JF kama moja ya nyenzo iliyochangia kuleta ukombozi wa Taifa hili.

Nadhani JF itabakia kuwa kikwazo kikubwa kwa watawala wasiofanya wajibu wao. Na kama ukifatilia kauli za watawala na hasa wa chama cha mapinduzi, utagundua kuna wengi sana wanafanya visit kwenye forum hii..toa wale verified users kama akina Kingwangala, Prof Tibaijuka, Nape, Mwigulu, mbunge wa Kigamboni, etc ila kuna baadhi ya mawaziri wamewai tamka maneno yanayoonyesha kuwa uwa wanafanya visit humu, hii inajumuisha watu kama Dr Mwakyembe, Dr Magufuli, Sitta, Wassira, Prof Muhongo, Simbachawene, nk. Na wabunge wengine kama Juma Nkamia, Mchungaji Lwakatare, etc. Kwahiyo itoshe kusema kuwa usijeshangaa kuwa vikao vingi vya baraza la mawaziri, na chama tawala na hata opposition parties, part of their discussion wakati wa vikao vyao inaweza ikawa ni JF.

Mungu ibariki Tanzania, Mungu Ibariki CHADEMA, Mungu Ibariki JF

 

[md4doctor2000]

I think that can be a Masters or a PhD research question for a political science students at different universities. A scientific answer can contribute substantially to democracy in the country.

 

[Mimibaba]

I agree with the observations and your quest.

1. Yes the forum provides access to a variety of information right from its structure and membership.

2. A party like CCM has failed to acknowledge the power of the forum; on the contrary it has embarked on attacks against constructive information posted by largely the ruled.

3. A party like CDM has shied away from the forum by simply posting criticisms to the ruling party instead of provoking policy issues related to its governance.

4. The international forums has been delusioned by aligned opinions

5. Great Thinkers forum has dwindled itself by scaring some contributor including myself. My reason is issue discussed are inconclusive and tend to diverge instead of converging like any sane discussion. Here I do not subscribe to agreement nor consensus but to lay bare the power of argument and let the difference be identified.

6. Other subforums in JF seem to attract a selection of contributors enjoying same taste of posts

In terms of democracy yes it has provided an open forum, in terms of its effect/impact; I know it has kept the "systems" on their toes. But it is limited to idea/opinion of only those with internet access.

All in all I personally give a lot of credit to ALL contributor and administrators to let out whatever they want to to JF. I am not sure is how much it costs to keep the forum running? I am bothered by the fact that some threads are removed before they have been read and it scares me when/where I do not know how many.

I would like the administrators to be firm to its members by taking prompt intervention on abuse of forum; and even on attempts to derail discussions which we all know. Example if they could move forward with a filter that wont show the posts of the people in my ignore list when I have logged on.

 

[Chakaza]

JF kweli ni mahala pakujifunza na kuona challanges kama nikiongozi na kurekebisha makosa kwa vile wapo members wengi wenye weledi wa kutosha na sii wachoyo wa kutoa elimu bure. Na JF ilkuwa na heshima kubwa awali na watu makini walikuwa hawasiti kujitokeza na kuleta mijadala yenye tija bila kuchoka.

Mambo yaliharibika baada ya Chama cha Mapinduzi kuamua kuajiri watu kupitia mkakati wa Nape kupambana na hoja za msingi eitha kwa kutukana au kuharibu majadiliano bila kutumia weledi maana hao walioajiriwa hawana weledi huo. Jambo hili limefikia mahali hata wale wenye weledi,kwa vile nao ni binadamu wajikute wanashindwa kustahimili kashfa na matusi nao kujikuta wanaamua kutochangia au nao kujibu kwa lugha ileile.

Wakati umefika kwa Mods kuangalia namna ya kuzuia hoja zisizo na msingi bila kuathiri uhuru wa kujieleza.

 

[zumbemkuu]

JF is like M4C,
God bless JamiiForum.

 

[Kitila Mkumbo]

I think there is a need to pay closer attention on this Great Thinkers Forum because the one on Siasa has really been 'invaded' by people who seem to have a special mission in the recent past. Consequently, the Jukwaa la Siasa is now being used as a propaganda machine for some rogue political parties.

This article is a clear demonstration that JF is taken more seriously by serious people out there probably more than we do ourselves.

 

[kiwatengu]

I think there is a need to pay closer attention on this Great Thinkers Forum because the one on Siasa has really been 'invaded' by people who seem to have a special mission in the recent past. Consequently, the Jukwaa la Siasa is now being used as a propaganda machine for some rogue political parties.

This article is a clear demonstration that JF is taken more seriously by serious people out there probably more than we do ourselves.

I think its better to have different ideas from different users..

Yes Jf is taken more seriously..

Propaganda is the part and parcel of politics.
Hizo special mission zitafanya kazi kwa kiasi gani? as so far verified users ni wachache sana,

Hebu tuzikabili changamoto za kisiasa bila kujali zinakuja vipi..

 

[Skype]

I think there is a need to pay closer attention on this Great Thinkers Forum because the one on Siasa has really been 'invaded' by people who seem to have a special mission in the recent past. Consequently, the Jukwaa la Siasa is now being used as a propaganda machine for some rogue political parties.

This article is a clear demonstration that JF is taken more seriously by serious people out there probably more than we do ourselves.

Dr. Kitila Mkumbo,

Hapo kwenye nyekundu nadiriki kusema kua JF itakua imevamiwa na watu ambao wanahisi kuchomwa na kuumizwa na ukweli unaojadiliwa humu na ndiyo maana imefikia mahala kuna baadhi ya viongozi wakiwemo wawakilishi wa wananchi, kama alivyosema only83 hapo juu, wanajaribu kupambana na mtandao huu kwa namna yeyote ile.

Hapo kwenye bluu naweza kusema kua ni matokeo ya athari za makundi mawili au zaidi yanayohasimiana kisiasa kuamua kuchafuana ili kila kundi lionekane linafaa mbele za jamii yetu ya Watanzania wasio na hatia. Matokeo ya kuhasimiana huku yanasababisha baadhi ya wananchi kuumia pasipo kutarajia na mara tu baada ya athari kutokea ndipo utaona utitiri wa nyuzi humu JF zikilaani upande mwingine. Nitoe mifano michache kuhusu athari za kuhasimiana kwa makundi haya;

1. Kuna kijana alimwagiwa tindikali kule Igunga na mara tu baada ya tukio tulishuhudia utitiri wa wafuasi wa makundi hasimu wakitoa shutuma kwa kundi jingine mfano CCM kuishutumu CHADEMA na hali kadhalika CHADEMA kuishutumu CCM lakini hatimaye anayeumia si makundi haya bali ni wananchi (hapa namlenga kijana aliyeumia kwa tindikali).

2. Bomu kulipuka kwenye mkutano wa CHADEMA kule Arusha kulisababisha jukwaa la siasa kujaza shutuma, laana na matusi makali hadi kusababisha baadhi ya wajumbe wa jf kufungiwa kwa muda. Yote hii ni kutafuta uhalali wa kundi fulani kutumikia wananchi ipasavyo hali ya kua wananchi wanaumizwa.

Binafsi napendekeza hoja zenye mashiko ziendelee kua huku jukwaa la Great Thinkers ili JF iendelee kuwa changamoto kwa watu wote ikiwemo wanasiasa, watu mashuhuri pamoja na vikundi hasimu. Hii itasaidia kuwafanya wawe makini na vitendo vyao.

Jukwaa la siasa libaki kama lilivyo ili tuwe tunapata mitizamo na mirejesho toka kwa wale walioguswa na mijadala inayochoma toka jf.

 

[Nguruvi3]

Nimewai kuwekea post hapa JF juu ya "Kwanini viongozi wa Serikali na wanachama wa CCM wanapenda kuihusisha JF na CHADEMA?" Bahati mbaya MODS waliifunga ile thread. Anyway, my idea that time, ilikuwa JF imekuwa ni moja ya avenue ambayo majadiliano ya kina yanafanyika juu ya udhaifu wa watawala, na hata wakati mwingine udhaifu wa oppossition parties particularly CHADEMA. Nadhani inatosha kusema kuwa, JF ni moja ya sehemu ambapo mustakabali wa hii nchi unajadiliwa na kutengenezwa kwa sasa. Ninajiamini kwa kusema, BAADA YA UKOMBOZI WA PILI WA TAIFA HILI vizazi vyetu vitaitaja JF kama moja ya nyenzo iliyochangia kuleta ukombozi wa Taifa hili.

Nadhani JF itabakia kuwa kikwazo kikubwa kwa watawala wasiofanya wajibu wao. Na kama ukifatilia kauli za watawala na hasa wa chama cha mapinduzi, utagundua kuna wengi sana wanafanya visit kwenye forum hii..toa wale verified users kama akina Kingwangala, Prof Tibaijuka, Nape, Mwigulu, mbunge wa Kigamboni, etc ila kuna baadhi ya mawaziri wamewai tamka maneno yanayoonyesha kuwa uwa wanafanya visit humu, hii inajumuisha watu kama Dr Mwakyembe, Dr Magufuli, Sitta, Wassira, Prof Muhongo, Simbachawene, nk. Na wabunge wengine kama Juma Nkamia, Mchungaji Lwakatare, etc. Kwahiyo itoshe kusema kuwa usijeshangaa kuwa vikao vingi vya baraza la mawaziri, na chama tawala na hata opposition parties, part of their discussion wakati wa vikao vyao inaweza ikawa ni JF.
Mungu ibariki Tanzania, Mungu Ibariki CHADEMA, Mungu Ibariki JF

Absolutely.

 

[Nguruvi3]

@Kitila Mkumbo ni kweli kuhusu accountability uliyoandika katika aya ya mwisho. Jambo zuri sana JF ni kuwa kiongozi anayefanya vema atasifiwa, akiboronga atapewa vidonge tu. Ni kwa msingi huo viongozi makini wanatembelea kujua nini kinaendelea katika jamii. Kwa verified members kama akina Mama Tibaijuka, Kigwangalla, @Dr F.Ndugulile, Zitto, @Nape, Mwigulu Dr.W. Slaa, tindu Lisu, n.k. wana nafasi nzuri sana katika jamii. Ni rahisi sana kwao kuwasiliana na jamii na hata kutoa ufafanunuzi wa kile wanachodhani kina utata. Lakini pia jamii inawaona wapo karibu nayo na mimi nawatia moyo waendelee.

Hoja yako#9 nadhani moderator wameliona hilo ndio sababu ya kuanzisha lile jukwaa la great thinker.
Kwakweli kule kuna utulivu sana. Kama ulivyosema jukwaa mama la siasa limeingiliwa makusudi kabisa. Hoja inavurugwa kwa matusi kwa kujua kuwa wachangiaji makini watakimbia. Pili, linatumika sana kwa propaganda na wanaotumia ni viongozi, of course ina onyesha power ya jf
Mimibaba, point yako namba 6 haijaeleweka naomba uifafanue tafadhali sana.
Endapo itakuwa kama nilivyoielewa nadhani jibu lake lipo kwa Kitila#9.
only83 hakuna shaka kuhusu uliyosema. Kuna hoja ya wzn kutimuliwa iliwekwa hapa asubuhi waziri anaijibu BLW.

Ninachoomba wana jamvi ni kuwa safari si rahisi na si kila mmoja anaipenda JF wapo wanaotamani ife hata sasa hivi ili waendelee na uovu. Wema wanaipenda sana kwasababu kwao ndio kioo cha nini kinasemwa na jamii
Watu wasikate tamaa na tunahitaji wachambuzi, wachangiaji, wachokoza mada kwa wingi tu.

Keep it up JF

 

[Mimibaba]

6. Other subforums in JF seem to attract a selection of contributors enjoying same taste of posts

Mimibaba, point yako namba 6 haijaeleweka naomba uifafanue tafadhali sana. Keep it up JF

Zipo subforums nyingi kama Chit Chat, Mambo ya Kikubwa members wa huko hawana msuguano they are enjoying. Nadhani msuguano na upuuzi wa Jukwaa la Siasa ni dhalili sana.

 

[Dr Faustine Ndugulile]

Cha msingi ni Jamiiforums kujikita kwenye mada zenye ubora, umakini, uchambuzi na ushahidi uliokamilika. Malumbano yasiyo na tija,kuchafuana, matusi na kebehi visipewe nafasi. Inawezekana!

 

[Mwita Maranya]

Kwa mtazamo wangu, kama ilivyo kwa wengi wetu hapa Jamiiforums imekuwa ni chaguo namba moja la kupata habari za haraka na za uhakika pamoja na kuwa mara nyingine kunakuwa na habari za upotoshaji ama uongo nyingi pia. Kwangu mimi Jamiiforums ndio chaguo langu la kwanza miongoni mwa social medias ninazozitumia/kuzitembelea.

Na ni ukweli kuwa hapa ndipo serikali, taasisi za serikali, vyama vya siasa (hasa CHADEMA, CCM, CUF na NCCR mageuzi), mashirika ya umma, taasisi za binafsi, taasisi za kidini pamoja na viongozi wa taasisi hizo katika level ya mtu mmoja mmoja wamekuwa wakikosolewa bila kumung'unya maneno, wamekuwa wakiambiwa ukweli kwa maneno magumu na makali na hata wakati mwingine wamekuwa wakipekenyuliwa maisha yao binafsi.

Kwa kufanya hivyo watu binafsi na taasisi husika wamekuwa wakijirekebisha na kujirudi, wengine badala ya kuzichukulia changamoto wanazozipata hapa kwa mtazamo chanya wao wamezichukulia kwa mtazamo hasi na hivyo kulazimika kuanzisha mapambano dhidi ya Jamiiforums.Lakini kwa ujumla wake Jamiiforums inafanya kazi nzuri sana ya ku promote maendeleo ya kidemokrasia hapa nchini na hata nchi za jirani sasa wameanza kuitumia (mfano ya Kenya na Rwanda)

Pamoja na ukweli kuwa jukwaa la siasa ndilo lenye mvuto zaidi kwa members wengi lakini pia ndilo jukwaa lenye kuripoti habari nyingi za kisiasa hapa nchini zikiwemo za ukweli pamoja na propaganda nyingi kati ya vyama na wafuasi wa vyama vikubwa viwili vya Chadema na ccm. Vyama vingine vya cuf, nccr mageuzin na vinginevyo vinatajwa mara chache sana na wala havina ushawishi ama members wengi wa JF wanaoviunga mkono kama ilivyo kwa Chadema na CCM.

Kwa ujumla Jamiiforums inabaki kuwa platform muhimu sana kwa ukuaji wa demiokrasia nchini lakjini pia kwa uwazi na uwajibikaji wa viongozi wa kijamii, kiserikali na kisiasa. Wakikosea wanapewa ukweli wao na wakifanya vizuri wanapongezwa. Na kwa uhakika imefika mahali ukifuatilia kwa makini namna threads zinavyoanzishwa hapa JF juu ya matukio mbalimbali yanayojitokeza hapa nchini unabaini kuwa JF ina members kila kona ya nchi hii. Ni aghalabu sana tukio kubwa likatokea hapa nchini na likakosa kuripotiwa hapa JF, tena wakati mwingine ni live coverage kutoka eneo la tukio.

Mwisho niwapongeze moderators wa JF kwa kazi kubwa wanayofanya ili kuifanya JF iendelee kuwa namabri moja kwa upashanaji wa habari na ukuzaji wa demokrasia nchini. Ninachowashauri ni kuendelea kuwa wakali na makini katika kuwashughulikia watu wote wanaofahamika na kuonekana kufanya kazi moja tu hapa JF. Kazi ya kuvuruga mijadala yenye tija kwa taifa hili hasa jukwaa la siasa ambalo ndilo limevamiwa na wavurugaji wengi, na hii imekuja baada ya azimio la CCM kutuma vijana wake hapa kwa kile wanachoamini kuwa JF ni hatari kwa mustakabali wao na serikali yao, lakini pia kwa mtazamo wao potofu kuwa JF ni mali ya Chadema, simply kwakuwa members wengi wa JF wanaikosoa sana serikali yao(CCM) pamoja na CCM yenyewe.

 

[Pascal Mayalla]

Cha msingi ni Jamiiforums kujikita kwenye mada zenye ubora, umakini, uchambuzi na ushahidi uliokamilika. Malumbano yasiyo na tija,kuchafuana, matusi na kebehi visipewe nafasi. Inawezekana!

Mkuu Dr. Faustine Ndugulile, kwanza asante kwa mchango huu, pili asante kupata muda kuja kwenye kile kipindi na tatu usipotee sana.

Hongera kwa jinsi mnavyoendesha mapambano dhidi ya Corona, najua mnakuwa busy sana hivyo kupata muda ni issue, ila nakuomba ujitahidi kupita pita humu mara moja moja, wadau wa jf ni very diverse hivyo wana michango mizuri worth sharing good practices from elsewhere.

Na ukipata muda, please jibu hoja za wadau wa kwenye bandiko hili just to assures them you care na unajali
Vita Janga la Corona: Msemaji Mkuu wa Serikali, Dr. Hassan Abbas, Naibu Waziri wa Afya, Dr. Faustine Ndungulile, kesho watakuwa live JLNH-Star TV - JamiiForums
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[Pascal Mayalla]

I was reading an article on the political economy of Tanzania, which discusses a number of issues including the state of CCM and opposition in the country. One of the issues that is extensively covered in this article is the role played by the media in the promotion of democracy.

Notably, JamiiForums emerges as the most influential media in promoting Government accountability. Unfortunately, I cannot post the whole article here because it is not in the public domain as yet. But here is the excerpt on JamiiForums:

Mkuu Prof Kitila Mkumbo, thanks for this.
Usipotee ki hivyo, jf has always been your home, when you get time, tukumbuke jf kwa kutupia tupiia maana it's always good kuthamini kule ulikotoka when you were nothing, kupitia jf kuna watu wakakuona, wakaiona thamani yako, wakakuthanini na kukufanya you are now something, its good to remember kule tulikotoka, when we were nothing, when we were nobodies.
P

 

[Pascal Mayalla]

I was reading an article on the political economy of Tanzania, which discusses a number of issues including the state of CCM and opposition in the country. One of the issues that is extensively covered in this article is the role played by the media in the promotion of democracy.

Notably, JamiiForums emerges as the most influential media in promoting Government accountability. Unfortunately, I cannot post the whole article here because it is not in the public domain as yet. But here is the excerpt on JamiiForums:

Tuache hizi Tafadhali sana

Karibu tena Jf, member mwenzetu Prof. Kitila Mkumbo, we missed you a lot!
Karibu tufanye review..

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