Zanzibar — ZANZIBAR minister responsible for Information, Mr Said Ali Mbarouk has said that more media outlets in Zanzibar may steer development. "Zanzibar has few newspapers compared to the mainland and other neighbouring countries.

I think fewer media outlets are not good for development," Mbarouk said in a meeting to members of the Zanzibar Newspapers and magazines Board.

He was of the observations that Zanzibar needs to have more newspapers focusing on development journalism, to help the society achieve development targets.

"If used well, media becomes important driver of change, particularly pushing for accountability, and corruption free society," said the Minister.

Zanzibar has only one daily newspaper, 'ZanzibarLeo', owned by the state. It is printed in Dar es Salaam. Others outlets are tourism periodicals, but fortunately most of the newspapers published in the mainland are also sold in Zanzibar.

Mr Issa Ahmed Othman who is 'ZanzibarLeo' Board Chairman said that his office is responsible for overseeing that newspapers in the islands do not violate laws.