Improved media freedom: Why State deserves accolades
DAR ES SALAAM: ACADEMICS and media analysts have commended the government for a significant rise in the World Press Freedom Index, jumping 46 positions from 143 in 2023 to 97 this year.
They said the progress reflects efforts by the sixth phase government that emphasises the free operation of media and access to information.
According to the annual World Press Freedom Index produced by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Tanzania has surpassed other countries in the East African region.
While Tanzania leads the way, Kenya is ranked 102nd, Uganda 128th, the Democratic Republic of Congo 123rd, Rwanda 144th, South Sudan 136th, and Ethiopia 141st.
Dr Paul Loisulie, a lecturer and analyst in political and social issues from the University of Dodoma (UDOM), said the country has achieved a significant step in promoting press freedom. He said the improvement clearly shows that journalists and media practitioners have been given room to carry out their duties without interference.
He said: “These achievements are the result of the promotion of press freedom, meaning there is a decrease in government interference in media operations, fewer threats against journalists, the reopening of previously banned media outlets, and the provision of equal opportunities for all to express their views.”
He noted that the most significant factor contributing to the achievement is the political will of President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan.
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Dr Loisulie stated that although there are still challenges to be addressed, the identified developments are crucial for making more remarkable achievements in the media industry.
The don added that it is important to amend all repressive laws that hinder the proper functioning of the media, strengthen the bodies responsible for overseeing the media to ensure proper handling of complaints, and continue to recognise the media as an important profession and a reliable partner in the country’s development.
Dr Dotto Kuhenga, a lecturer from the University of Dar es Salaam’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication (UDSM-SJMC), stated that Tanzania’s rise in the rankings signifies the various efforts made to improve the media environment in the country, including the government’s acceptance of amendments to the Media Service Act of 2016.
He also mentioned that the increase in media outlets in Tanzania, which act as a platform for people to air their opinions without fear, is an indication of media freedom.
Dr Kuhenga emphasised that moving from the 142nd to the 97th position shows that Tanzania has been evaluated based on various criteria in which it has performed well and demonstrated significant improvement.
He further stated that as Tanzania celebrates these achievements, there is still a significant responsibility to perform better, including improving working conditions and incentives for journalists.
Dr Kuhenga said: “It is also important to prioritise professionalism by employing competent journalists and ensuring the protection of journalists when performing their duties.”
On his part, Dr Zakaria Malima, also from the SJMC, stated that Tanzania’s progress in press freedom ranking is the result of maturity and political will in the country.
He noted that the feat achieved can be attributed to the opportunity offered to Tanzanian journalists who are now working without fear.
He said media outlets are also free to provide equal airtime and space for politicians from both the ruling party and opposition parties to express their opinions without interference and the ban of their media outlet.
The Minister for Information, Communication and Information Technology, Nape Nnauye, said during the commemoration of World Press Freedom Day, held nationally in Dodoma on Friday, that the current media freedom in Tanzania is a result of the political will of President Dr Samia and her assistants.
“We have not yet reached our desired destination, but we are certainly not where we were yesterday. The environment of yesterday and today is different, and journalists agree with me. We have reached this point of improvement due to the political will of the sixth-phase government under the leadership of our President, Dr Samia,” he noted.
Tanzania’s improvement in respecting press freedom has been achieved through the five indicators used, with the country scoring high marks in each indicator.
In the political indicator, the country scored 94 points in 2024, up from 138 it received in 2023. In the economic indicator, the country got 108 points this year, up from 157 it garnered last year.
In the legislative indicator, Tanzania scored 120 points in 2024 compared to 159 points it received in 2023, while in the sociocultural indicator, Tanzania garnered 82 points this year compared to 128 obtained last year, and 98 points in the security indicator, up from 107 received last year.
