THE media industry in Tanzania plays a pivotal role in informing, educating, and entertaining the public. As a vital pillar of democracy, it contributes significantly to societal development and national discourse.
However, the scope of media in Tanzania encompasses both opportunities and challenges that shape its effectiveness in fulfilling its mandate. Recent insights from Twaweza East Africa underscore the importance of understanding the breadth of media functions and the professional ethics that guide this industry.
The Tanzanian media landscape is expansive, with numerous radio stations, television channels, newspapers, and online platforms serving diverse audiences. The rapid growth of science and technology has further enhanced the industry’s reach, enabling real-time news dissemination and audience interaction.
Research indicates that journalists in Tanzania are optimistic about the future, particularly due to advancements in digital tools and platforms that have revolutionised news production and consumption. Universities like Dar es Salaam Tumaini University (DarTU) nurture the next generation of journalists by offering comprehensive training.
These institutions emphasise the importance of understanding the media’s full scope and functions before entering the profession. According to Ms Annastazia Rugaba, Director of Projects at Twaweza East Africa journalism students must acquaint themselves with the ethical and operational frameworks of the media industry.
“The key is to understand what is expected of you and adhere to journalistic ethics,” she noted during the presentation of a research report on the state of journalists in Tanzania. Despite its potential, the media industry in Tanzania faces numerous challenges.
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Chief among them is corruption, which manifests in various forms, including bribery to gain support or ensure the publication of specific stories. Ms Rugaba highlighted that such practices compromise journalistic integrity and undermine public trust in the media. Ms Rugaba said that 1208 journalists who were sampled during their research indicated that many face various challenges while fulfilling their duties.
“Many journalists reported that it is difficult to earn an income that meets their needs, which is why most of them do not consider directing their children toward this profession,” she said Ms Rugaba further added that research also shows that approximately 60 per cent of journalists work on shortterm contracts, while only 20 per cent have permanent employment and 18 per cent work when needed.
Additionally, journalists often operate in environments that hinder their ability to perform effectively. Limited resources, restrictive editorial policies and interference in editorial independence are common issues. Mr Tumbi Kiganja, a Programme Officer from the Media Council of Tanzania, emphasised the need for journalists to understand and uphold the protocols of reporting.
“Freedom of the press is what we strive for, which is why we stress adherence to ethical standards to avoid emerging problems,” he stated.
In 2009, the Media Council of Tanzania (MCT) decided to address the problems head-on and committed itself to the goal of enlisting media outlets, advertisers and others to adopt a code of editorial independence and responsibility.
In March 2011, MCT unveiled the Dar es Salaam Declaration on Editorial Freedom, Independence and Responsibility (DEFIR) and invited individual editors, publishers, advertisers, government officials and citizens to sign the declaration. Education and training are crucial in preparing journalists to navigate the complexities of the media industry.
Initiatives like the DEFIR programme are instrumental in equipping students with professional skills and insights. Mr Kiganja pointed out that such initiatives encourage academic institutions to incorporate practical and researchoriented training.
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“This approach enables students to gain a deeper understanding of the industry’s dynamics and prepares them for the challenges ahead,” said Mr Kiganja. Moreover, journalism students are advised to focus on developing a broad understanding of media operations.
This includes studying the principles of editorial independence, which is increasingly under threat due to external influences. Mr Kiganja stressed that editorial freedom is essential for fulfilling the core mission of the media: to serve the public interest. He also urged media owners to prioritise public service over profit-making, emphasising that news should benefit the community rather than serve narrow commercial interests.
Gender equality remains a pressing issue within the media industry. Assigning specific types of stories based on gender perpetuates discrimination and limits opportunities for journalists to showcase their full potential. Mr Paul Mallimbo, Programme Officer from MCT argued that competence, rather than gender, should determine the tasks assigned to journalists.
“Assigning men to certain stories is a major cause of gender discrimination in the workplace,” he said.
Furthermore, harassment and unequal treatment in the workplace undermine journalists’ confidence and proSOUTH Africa has taken over the presidency of the world’s premier economic forum, the G20, from Brazil. The G20 presidency operates on a troika system made up of the current, previous and next holders. The three members cooperate with one another in preparing for an annual summit.
This means that South Africa will be working with Brazil and the US (2026 presidency). The G20 members – 19 countries plus the European Union and the African Union –account for about 80% of global GDP, 75% of global exports and 60% of the world’s population.
The Conversation Africa asked Laura Carvalho, a director of Economic and Climate Prosperity at Open Society Foundations and associate professor of economics at the University of São Paulo, what South Africa can learn from Brazil’s experience. How did Brazil connect its domestic policy discussions to the G20 agenda? First, Brazil managed to connect the climate agenda to the inequality agenda in the G20 as a reflection of its own domestic challenges.
According to the World Inequality Database it is one of the most unequal economies in the world when we consider the share of national income that goes to the top 1%. This is partially caused by a deeply unfair tax system.
The first and second administrations of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva made substantial progress in reducing inequalities by increasing income at the bottom. This was done through cash transfers, minimum wage gains and job creation.
The third Lula government has used different measures to tackle an extremely high concentration of income and wealth at the top. The main one has been to reform the tax system. Some proposals faced strong pressure by elite representatives in the Brazilian congress. But the government remained steadfast.
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It also seized the opportunity of its G20 presidency to lead this agenda internationally. For example, it proposed a minimum tax on billionaires. This led to an unprecedented commitment by all G20 countries to ensure that ultra-highnet-worth individuals are effectively taxed.
This is only a first step in a broader tax cooperation agenda that the United Nations and other multilateral forums should take up. Meanwhile the Brazilian finance ministry is putting forward a proposal for a minimum tax on its own millionaires.
We will see if they succeed in using global momentum to approve the proposal domestically. It would be an important step. What can South Africa learn from Brazil? Brazil got strong social participation in the G20 process through engagement groups like think tanks, businesses and civil society organisations.
This helped the process gain relevance throughout the year in domestic and international policy debates. It also left an important domestic legacy. For the first time many Brazilian actors engaged on global climate and economic agendas. They now know more when adding their voices in multilateral spaces.
This strong social participation had a number of outcomes:-it kept the inequality between and within countries at the core of the G20 process; it contributed to securing commitments of rich countries to the Global Alliance for Fighting Hunger and helped the drive to tax super-wealthy individuals; it created an ambitious roadmap to reform multilateral development banks. The Conversation ductivity.
These issues create a hostile work environment, impeding the industry’s overall growth. To address this, Mr Mallimbo recommended the establishment of gender desks in media houses. Such mechanisms can help mitigate workplace challenges and promote a culture of equality.
The media in Tanzania has significant potential to drive positive change. However, realising this potential requires collective efforts from all stakeholders, including journalists, educators, media owners and policymakers.
There is a need to:
1. Strengthen Ethical Standards: Journalists must adhere to professional ethics and avoid practices that compromise their integrity. Training institutions should emphasise ethical journalism as a core component of their curricula.
2. Promote Editorial Independence: Media owners and managers must respect the editorial freedom of journalists, allowing them to report objectively and without undue influence.
3. Enhance Training and Education: Academic institutions and professional organisations should collaborate to provide practical training and research opportunities for aspiring journalists. Initiatives like DEFIR should be expanded to reach more students.
4. Address Gender Disparities: Media houses must implement policies that promote gender equality, ensuring equal opportunities for all journalists. The establishment of gender desks can play a crucial role in addressing workplace challenges.
5. Leverage Technology: The media industry should continue embracing digital tools and platforms to improve news dissemination and audience engagement. Investments in technology can enhance the quality and accessibility of information.
The media industry in Tanzania is a dynamic and essential sector that contributes to the nation’s development. While it faces challenges such as corruption, limited editorial freedom and gender inequality, there are ample opportunities for growth and improvement.
By fostering a culture of ethical journalism, promoting gender equality and leveraging technological advancements, the media can better serve the public and uphold its democratic responsibilities. Collaboration among stakeholders is key to building a vibrant, inclusive and resilient media landscape that meets the needs of all Tanzanians.
