Jamii Forums core program support 2022 - 2024

Level A: Creation and Strengthening Platforms: Internal Systems and Infrastructure According to 2023 annual report, JF seem to stay up to date with new developments in the information digital space. As Meta launched WhatsApp Channels - an instant way to disseminate information via their popular medium WhatsApp, and following its success with its telegram channel, JF took the chance and created a channel that has added a total of 800,000 citizens who have timely access to the right information. Level B: Amplification of Citizen Voices: Content curation, quality control and Strategic Content Creation on JamiiForums.com and Social Media Outlets The 2023 annual report point out that JF is championing transparency in governance through live online accountability discussions, known as Voice Sessions, acting as a bridge between citizens and leaders. Conducted primarily via X platform (formerly Twitter) and ClubHouse, these conversations foster open dialogue and exchanges, empowering citizens to voice concerns and hold duty-bearers accountable while pushing for better public service delivery. It is reported that in 2023, a total of 15 sessions with over 25,000 live listeners were held causing impactful decisions like Suspension of Former Kigoma Ujiji District Executive Director (DED) following Allegations of Misappropriation in the Auditor General's Report highlighted in a session done in collaboration with Freedom House and Wajibu Institute, the Formation of the Tanzania Music Awards Organizing Committee, a recommendation from a session titled "Tanzania Music Awards: What can be done to Reduce Complaints from Stakeholders?" and Ministry of Home Affairs stressing that by March 2024 all registered citizens will have their NIDA IDs immediately after a session titled The Challenges of Obtaining NIDA Identity Cards and the Response of the Authority." Level C: Advocacy for Digital Rights Further more in 2023, JF trained various groups, including Civil Servants, Human Rights Defenders, Faith-Based Organizations, and Students, on Digital Safety, Security, and Skills. A total of 477 people were reached directly, and others were reached through campaigns on Social Media platforms. Again it is shown that from 2023 report, in September, a media Empowerment Program was launched aiming to equip Journalists with Investigative and Public Interest Journalism skills. The first cohort, with 10 journalists strategically selected in collaboration with the Union of Tanzania Press Clubs, graduated in January 2024 after producing 10 stories of Public Interest that have led to the unveiling of major issues, including corruption and emblezzlement of funds. In 2023, JF trained various groups, including Civil Servants, Human RightsDefenders, Faith-Based Organizations, and Students, on Digital Safety, Security, and Skills. A total of 477 people were reached directly, and others were reached through campaigns on Social Media platforms. In advocacy for digital rights, In 2023, regulations were made, and JF led stakeholder analysis of the regulations in collaboration with Private sector actors and strategic allies in the Civil Society Sector. After they had been presented to the Ministry, several sections of the regulations were amended. The meeting also provided an opportunity to insist on the law's shortcomings. Specifically, JF is pushing for the change of section 42 (1) (c) (d) (e) and (3). According to JamiiForums, these provisions empower the commissioner to enter any premises occupied by data controllers or processors to satisfy security requirements. This power also allows him to interrogate, peruse documents or take any device with personal data. JF believes this provision can be misused and lead to a breach of other rights. It is assessed that it is not easy to regulate the law of the country, it might take a while to change the law while JF continues to implement its atcivities. It is advisable that, Jamii Forums focuses on monitoring risks and play the game in a way to safer in order to avoid such restrictivce laws to be executed on them. Institutional capacity strengthening It is reported that in 2023, JF strengthened its Finance and Programs Teams by adding an accountant and volunteers, respectively. This change went hand in hand with the introduction of new digital finance management, human resources, and project management tools to connect the functions for enhanced efficiency. Capacity Building was also conducted for staff at various levels to improve productivity and stay ahead of the digital technology space JF operates in. A staff work retreat was conducted to recharge the team and plan for election years (2024 & 2025). To conlude, from the financial report JF implemented its annual activities by 74% which is not bad but has to be questioned. The progress as noted from the annual report is not bad especially synergy that is harnessed by collaborating with Wajibu and UTPC (all funded by Sweden). The additional impact report attached is again telling Sweden another story on how online stories can generate instant impact compared to offline door to door campaign. While all these achievements are relaized, JF need to strengthen program monitoring aspect and internal control muscles to be better.

Firstlly Jamii Forums will invest in improving its platform security and operating environment. The JamiiForums platform comprises the following main components which are integrated to provide the existing functionality: Database housed in secure cloud-based servers, Content Management System (CMS), User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX). This platform is the foundation of the organization and that is the reason why it needs to be fully secure, operational and with guaranteed optimization. A primary objective of this strategy is to make sure the platform is fully functional at all times. Jamii Forums plans to invest significantly in making sure that it anticipates and successfully responds to any malicious attacks, interference from any authority, periodic or permanent surges in traffic growth, human (staff) error and skillset, technological obsolescence (servers, software updates) and other challenges. The ultimate aim is to maintain and enhance the implicit trust of JamiiForums users in the safety and security of their online engagement on our platform. In modern online industry, moderation tools are key to a fluid digital citizen engagement. Poor functioning tools pose as obstacle to content quality control. Over 80% of Jamii Forums audience visit the platform via mobile phones. According to Jamii Forums, the trend shows that the young adults are interested in services with sites which have modern mobile apps (Android and iOS); It is considered that a defective JF Mobile app will affect clients in terms of User Experience (UX) while engaging on discussions. Jamii Forums reports that its current User Interface (UI) was introduced in 2014, updated in 2016 and needs to be updated as most browsers do not render the site as expected. An Upgraded Web Servers including circumvention tools to the latest technology and availability of experts to oversee operations to ensure Jamii Forums keeps up with technological changes, have multiple secure backups for the platform and advocate for Civic Education strategy on Personal Data Protection will have a huge positive impact not only on Jamii Forums capacity but overal freedom and access of information agenda. Secondly amplifying citizen voices through content management, curation and value addition. Unlike many other existing platforms in the country, the basic ingredient of JamiiForums is user-generated content in the form of threads and comments that engage with those discussions. A primary reason for JamiiForums popularity and reputation are because it provides citizens with uncensored ways to express themselves. With ambition to increase followers from existing 12m, Jamii Forums will focus more on value addition initiatives. According to Jamii Forums, a key new initiative will be to add value to JF through internally generated content. This echoes the Netflix strategy of commissioning original content for its movie platform. Jamii Forums considers that, with a daily rate of over 15,000 posts from registered users on the platform, there is an increase demand for content quality control. The same applies for Jamii Forums Social Media outlets. Jamii forums assesses that due to strict laws over Online contents; there is a danger of facing lawsuits if content is not reviewed on time. JamiiForums views itself as an archive for future generations, if content is not well monitored and organized; there is a huge possibility of misleading the public at large. Jamii Forums has a special policy on content management (Editorial Policy); Is a tool that guides the team in decision making while a public accessible guideline for citizens on community engagement (Community Engagement Guidelines) helps in making sure that the public is aware of how their content is processed in order to foster transparency. At the same time Jamii Forums is planning to formulate a new strategy for Amplification of Citizen Voices especially on stories that are in the lines of Good governance, Accountability and Transparency Engage and cooperate with public officials, public and private institutions to participate in discussions raised by citizens to promote accountability and transparency. Jamii Forums will also strengthen citizen journalism in text, audio & video format (Value addition). JF will Promote textual and non-textual content by commissioning and curating photo, video and infographic content. This initiative will attract the young adult demography. Third and last area of focus for Jamii Froums is influencing policy and advcocacy. JamiiForums will engage in policy advocacy at two levels. The first is general advocacy for a range of issues that are driven by the context and user content. Jamii Forums will also assist public bodies to raise awareness about policies or administrative initiatives requiring citizen knowledge and action (e.g., anti-corruption, public health, etc). This level will focus on advocating for a free and secure digital space that respects the digital/data rights of citizens, while securing the space for free expression. Jamii Forums assessment is that it is becoming widespread for many countries across the globe including some democratic states to try to control freedom of expression not only in ordinary life but also in a digital sphere. Protection of 'national security or anti-terrorism is the favorite tool. Governments have mastered the art of tracking down their citizens to control what is said, watched and shared online. Dissents who refuses to play along, find themselves in trouble always. It is assummed that Tanzania as well is not exempted from those practices. It is essential protecting the necessary breathing space for the fruitful exercise of article 18 of the constitutional rights.