Government enhances measures to provide correct information, maintain public trust

DODOMA: THE Tanzanian has continued to take measures to combat the spread of false information by coordinating press briefings between the Government Chief Spokesperson and media outlets, with the aim of strengthening public trust and reducing the impact of misinformation in society.

The statement was made today, May 4, 2026 in Parliament in Dodoma by the Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Paul Makonda, while presenting the ministry’s revenue and expenditure estimates for the 2026/2027 financial year.

Minister Makonda said that misinformation, if not controlled, can cause serious harm, including damaging individuals’ reputations, distorting decision-making, affecting the economy and business environment, and fueling online harassment.

He explained that through the Information Services Department (MAELEZO) and the Journalists Accreditation Board, the ministry has continued to sensitize citizens and media stakeholders to avoid sharing unverified information, while also providing education on safe and responsible use of social media.

In addition, the ministry has been collaborating with various government institutions, including the Tanzania Police Force and the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), to educate the public on how to protect themselves from misinformation, fake news, cybercrime, and online fraud. It has also emphasized the importance of caution in social media use and the need to delete misleading content upon receipt.

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In another development, Minister Makonda said that in response to the growing challenge of misinformation and misuse of technology, the ministry through MAELEZO and the Government Chief Spokesperson’s Office has coordinated the verification of social media accounts belonging to government institutions.

He said the exercise involved ministries, regions, agencies, authorities, local governments, and public corporations, aiming to strengthen information security and ensure official government identity online.

Through this initiative, a total of 412 Instagram accounts, 200 Facebook accounts, and more than 300 X (formerly Twitter) accounts have been verified.