Minister of ‘Information,’ you killed journalism, now live with the result

tzdemos

Editors and senior journalists demonstrate against the suppression of the press freedom in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. PHOTO | FILE | NMG

Ever wondered why all our governments in this part of the world contain someone called “minister of information”?

I ask this question because the role of such a person, and the ministry he or she heads, is shrouded in secrecy. For, indeed, what is he/she supposed to do 24/7? When the minister leaves home in the morning and is driven in one of the ubiquitous gas-guzzlers to office, what does he/she do all day till he/she is driven back home in the evening?