By Said Ameir.

The government has pledged to work with stakeholders to ensure television broadcasters incorporate sign language in their programs to enable deaf community effectively follow television programs.

Speaking yesterday at the opening of a one-day Consultative Meeting on the Media Inclusion of Deaf Community through sign language interpretation, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports Ms. Millao said the government is determined and ready to partner with stakeholders to address challenges hindering broadcasters from engaging sign language interpreters in their programs.

Ms. Nuru Millao said deaf community, like other communities, is entitled to access to information hence the government was keenly liaising with stakeholders in broadcasting sector and associations dealing with people with disabilities to ensure the deaf are not left behind due to lack of communication.

‘’our position is to see  that appropriate measures are put in place to make sure that people with hearing disability do access and follow television programs through sign language interpretation services’’ Ms Nuru Millao insisted.

She reminded television broadcasters that they are responsible to engage sign language interpreters in their key programs like news bulletin and during major national events.

‘’It is your obligation as television broadcasters to assign sign language interpreters in your programs to allow deaf community to understand issues  pertaining to our society and be part of development process of our country’’ She said.

However, Deputy Permanent Secretary commended some of television stations which have started to engage sign language interpreters in their news programs

She said the aim of the consultative meeting was to create an enabling environment for the television broadcasters to implement the existing laws and regulations which make requirement for broadcasters to include sign language in their programs.

Ms Nuru Millao thanked management of Tanzania Communication Regulatory Authority (TCRA) for coordinating and facilitating the meeting.

Among those who attended the meeting which was held at TCRA headquarters at Ubungo were representatives from Tanzania Association for the Deaf (CHAVITA), Tanzania Association of Sign Language Interpreters (TASLI), Community Media Network of Tanzania (COMNETA), Tanzania Religious Media Association (TAREMA) and New Independent Broadcasters Association (NIBA).