MISA-TAN Vice Chairman, Lawyer James Malenga (second from right), presents a congratulatory gift to President Samia Suluhu Hassan for advancing media freedom and expression in the country. Government Chief Spokesperson Mobhare Matinyi (left) and MISA-TAN Director Elizabeth Riziki (right) are also pictured. Photo: Courtesy.
Tanzania President Honored for Media Freedom: Navigating Challenges, Highlighting Progress
By Adonis Byemelwa
In a resounding affirmation of Tanzania’s commitment to media freedom, the Media Institute of Southern Africa, Tanzania Chapter (MISA TAN), bestowed upon President Samia Suluhu Hassan a prestigious honor on May 31st, 2024.
Recognized for her unwavering dedication to safeguarding the press, President Samia’s leadership has elevated Tanzania to the pinnacle of media freedom in East Africa and bolstered its global standing.
Under her leadership, Tanzania has achieved the top rank in East Africa for media freedom and improved its global standing from 143 in 2023 to 97 in 2024, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
The award was presented by MISA TAN Vice Chairman, Lawyer James Marenga, to Government Spokesperson Mobhare Matinyi on behalf of President Samia during a two-day forum in Dar es Salaam.
The forum focused on evaluating the state of freedom of expression, the right to information, and journalists’ freedom in 2024.
Last year, MISA Tanzania celebrated its 30th anniversary, highlighting significant achievements since its inception in 1993.
The celebration in Dodoma was attended by various media stakeholders, with Government Spokesperson Gerson Msigwa representing the Minister of Information, Communication, and Information Technology, Nape Nnauye.
During the event, Msigwa reaffirmed the government’s commitment to collaborating with journalists to address their challenges and implement President Samia’s directives to amend restrictive sections of the Media Services Act of 2016
He noted that since President Samia took office, no media outlets have been shut down, and previously banned ones have been reopened.
“The government under President Samia recognizes the excellent work done by journalists and stands shoulder to shoulder with them. That is why, in her two years of administration, you have not heard of any media outlet being shut down, and previously banned newspapers have been reopened,” said Msigwa.
He emphasized the need for extensive training for journalists, urging MISA Tanzania and other stakeholders to focus on enhancing journalists’ skills. “I am among the beneficiaries of the training provided by MISA-Tanzania,” Msigwa added.
Despite these advances, there remains skepticism among journalists about true freedom of the press, as restrictive laws still exist.
Many fear personal repercussions rather than the media outlet facing shutdowns. The dependence on government advertisements further complicates the media’s ability to operate independently.
Former Minister of Information, Culture, Arts, and Sports, Nape Nnauye, has also voiced concerns about the practice of shutting down entire newspapers instead of holding individual journalists accountable for their errors.
In an exclusive interview, Nnauye emphasized that the Media Services Act of 2016 was intended to address professional misconduct by individuals rather than to close newspapers.
The government suspended the publication of Raia Mwema for 90 days on September 29, citing fabricated quotes attributed to President John Magufuli.
Similarly, on October 24, Tanzania Daima was shut down for 90 days for publishing misleading news. Dr. Hassan Abbasi, the former Director of Information Services (Maelezo) and the government spokesperson justified these actions by highlighting the need for adherence to journalistic ethics.
Nnauye, who shut down Mawio and Mseto newspapers and two radio stations during his tenure, advocated for the establishment of media regulatory institutions to handle professional misconduct.
He argued that these measures would transform journalism into a respected profession akin to law and medicine, where professional bodies self-regulate.
Prominent journalist Ndimara Tegambwage has long argued that no law or constitution should infringe upon the inherent human right to free speech. He emphasized that attempts to encroach on this right, whether through threats, secrecy, or draconian laws, are assaults on freedom of expression.
Such measures can lead to self-censorship, heavy fines, and the closure of media outlets, ultimately silencing both journalists and the public.
“There is the right we cannot let anyone ride on and whip everyone else and still claim to remain human like the human being whose free speech is inherent,” said Tegambwage.
“This inherent right to free speech is what we call a human right—to shout out your opinion and your grief; and write uninterruptedly and without being asked whether you have a license or not.”
Tegambwage’s sentiments highlight the delicate balance between enforcing journalistic standards and ensuring freedom of the press.
The MISA-TAN conference in progress. Photo: Courtesy
While the recognition from MISA TAN underlines progress under President Samia’s leadership, it also brings to light the ongoing challenges faced by the media in Tanzania.
An important aspect of this media landscape is the appointment of journalists to political positions, which has been seen as a reward for loyalty to the government.
Several journalists have been appointed as district commissioners, directors, and regional administrative secretaries.
This practice raises questions about the independence of the press, as these appointments can be perceived as incentives for favorable coverage of the government.
Critics say, a key issue impacting media freedom is financial strain. Many media outlets struggle to sustain operations due to limited advertising revenue and are heavily reliant on government advertisements
This dependency compromises the editorial independence of these outlets. Without sufficient funding, media organizations find it challenging to run critical stories or maintain their operations.
Dr. Hassan Abbasi, the former government spokesperson, justified the shutdowns of Raia Mwema and Tanzania Daima by stating, “The punishment was necessary to enforce journalistic ethics and maintain the integrity of the information being disseminated to the public.”
However, critics argue that these measures were excessive and served more to silence dissent than to uphold journalistic standards.
Nape Nnauye, now serving as Minister for Information, Communication, and Information Technology, has taken a critical stance even under President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration.
He questions the rationale behind shutting down entire newspapers for the actions of individual journalists, advocating for a more nuanced approach that holds individuals accountable without penalizing entire media outlets.
This perspective accentuates the urgent need for reforms that protect press freedom while ensuring responsible journalism.
“The law does not aim to shut down newspapers but to address the professional misconduct of individuals, as is the case in other professions like lawyers, doctors, contractors, and accountants,” he said.
Nnauye emphasized the importance of establishing independent regulatory bodies to handle complaints and disputes within the media industry.
The Media Services Act of 2016 mandates the establishment of a Certification Board and an Independent Media Council to oversee the profession.
On a lighter note, the absence of these bodies has led to ongoing conflicts and a lack of self-regulation within the industry. Nnauye stressed the need for these institutions to be operational to ensure accountability and professional conduct among journalists.
The awarding of President Samia Suluhu Hassan by MISA TAN underscores significant progress in media freedom in Tanzania.
However, ongoing concerns about restrictive laws and the practice of shutting down media outlets highlight the need for continued efforts to ensure true freedom of the press.
The balance between enforcing journalistic ethics and protecting freedom of expression remains a critical issue in Tanzania’s media landscape.
The future of media freedom in Tanzania hinges on the establishment of independent regulatory bodies and sustained government support.
Ensuring protection and respect for this freedom requires a commitment to open dialogue and collaboration between the government and the media.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s efforts have brought significant improvements, but the journey towards true freedom of the press is ongoing.
Addressing restrictive laws, reducing financial dependency on government advertisements, and creating a robust self-regulatory framework are essential steps.
Only through these measures can Tanzania cultivate a genuinely free and independent press, fostering an environment where journalists can operate without fear and the public can access unbiased information.