Media laws at Tanzania

03 Apr 2025 --
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Tanzania's media laws have evolved significantly in recent years, reflecting a complex balance between promoting freedom of expression and imposing regulatory controls. Here's an overview of the key legal frameworks and recent developments:

🏛️ Key Media Legislation

1. Media Services Act (2016)This Act replaced the restrictive Newspaper Act of 1976 and introduced several provisions affecting media operations

Journalist Accreditation:The Journalist Accreditation Board has the authority to cancel a journalist's accreditation for "gross professional misconduct" as per the prescribed code of ethics

Criminal Liability:Sections 50, 51, and 53 impose criminal liability on journalists for defamation and publications deemed seditious

Importation of Publications:Section 58 authorizes the Minister for Information to prohibit the importation of publications deemed injurious to public interestties, including

Data Espionage:Unauthorized access to or disclosure of data

False Information:Publication of deceptive or misleading information

Intellectual Property Violations:Infringement of intellectual property rights

3. Access to Information Act (2015)While promoting transparency, this Act allows information officers to withhold information deemed not in the public interestSection 6(6) prescribes up to five years’ imprisonment for unauthorized disclosure of exempt information police officers and Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) employees the authority to conduct searches and seize communication equipment suspected of contravening regulations

🌐 Online Content Regulations (2020)

The TCRA enforces the Electronic and Postal Communications (Online Content) Regulations, 2020, which apply to online platforms such as websites, blogs, social media, and instant messaging tool. Key provisions include:

Licensing Online content providers must obtain a license from the TCRA, with categories including news, entertainment, education, and simulcastin.

Prohibited Content Content deemed indecent, obscene, hateful, or inciting violence is prohibite.

Penalties Violations can result in fines up to TZS 5 million (approximately $2,300) and/or imprisonment for at least 12 month.

⚖️ Recent Developments

In October 2024, the TCRA suspended the online platforms of Mwananchi Communications Ltd for 30 days due to an animated advertisement in The Citizen newspaper that criticized President Samia Suluhu Hassan regarding recent abductions and killings of dissident. The TCRA cited threats to national unity and social peace as reasons for the suspensio. Human rights advocates condemned the move as a setback for press freedo.

📰 Media Landscap

While Tanzania has made strides in media development, challenges persit:

*Media Freedom: The country has faced criticism for restricting media freedom, especially during periods of political tensin.

*Regulatory Oversight: The TCRA's broad regulatory powers have raised concerns about potential overreach and suppression of dissenting voics.

*Civil Society Response: Civil society organizations continue to advocate for reforms to ensure that media laws align with international human rights standars.

Tanzania's media laws present a framework that balances regulation with freedom of expressin However, recent actions indicate a need for ongoing dialogue to ensure that these laws foster a free and open media environmet.