From 1–5 December 2025, International Media Support (IMS), in collaboration with JamiiAfrica and the Union of Tanzania Press Clubs (UTPC), hosted a Design Thinking & Innovation Lab in Arusha. The five-day programme brought together 21 participants from seven media outlets across Tanzania, aiming to foster creativity and develop practical solutions to the growing challenges of misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech in the country’s media landscape.
Throughout the week, participants engaged in hands-on design-thinking exercises, collaborative problem-solving sessions, and mentorship from industry specialists. These activities encouraged them to explore innovative approaches to newsroom practices, including fact-checking, content creation, and the dissemination of reliable information. In an era of rapid digital change, the lab provided a critical space for media professionals to rethink processes and adopt sustainable methods that safeguard the credibility of Tanzania’s information ecosystem.
By the conclusion of the programme, two standout projects were awarded seed funding, allowing the teams to build prototypes, test their concepts in real-world settings, and eventually launch their solutions. This support represents an important step toward promoting home-grown media innovations and fostering a more informed, empowered, and resilient society.
Speaking to the participants, JamiiAfrica’s Information Integrity Lead, Innocent Mangu, emphasized that solutions should directly address the needs of citizens and reflect the realities of the communities they serve. He urged participants to avoid replicating models from large tech companies, which may not suit local contexts. Instead, meaningful innovation should be rooted in the actual needs of local communities—a people-centred approach that JamiiAfrica applies as it expands its work across Africa.
