SMR highlights press violations and self-censorship in Tanzania
Former Prime Minister Judge (rtd) Joseph Warioba (second left) holding a copy of the State of the Media Report Tanzania 2022-2023 shortly after launching. Others are MCT Executive Secretary, Ernest Sungura (with white shirt and tie on the left), MCT Board Member Dr. Joyce Bazira (second from right) and MCT Retired Executive Secretary, Kajubi Mukajanga. The launch was held at the Seashells Millenium Hotel, Dar es Salaam on July 4, 2024.
By Saumu Mwalimu
Dar es Salaam: The Media Council of Tanzania (MCT) launched its flagship 117-page State of the Media 2022-2023 Report (SMR), offering a comprehensive analysis of the current media landscape in Tanzania.
Since 2001, the SMR has been a critical resource for industry stakeholders, detailing significant concerns and trends affecting the media.
This year’s report spans eight chapters, addressing pressing issues such as legal and regulatory challenges, press violations, media sustainability, investment, ownership, gender representation, professionalism, and coverage of critical public interest issues like the DP World and Ngorongoro evictions.
Speaking during the launch July 4, 2024, former Prime Minister and First Vice President, Joseph Sinde Warioba, noted that the report highlighted increasing self-censorship among media practitioners. He pointed out that this trend has also affected duty bearers and the general public.
“There is fear among people in this country, not only media people. The praise reporting is not only for journalists; public officials are afraid to speak and end up praising as well,” said Warioba.
He urged the media to adhere to journalism principles and emphasized the importance of editorial policies in the newsroom. “Regardless of your intention to start a media business, you have an obligation to ensure the public is informed with truth and diversity. However, there is an alarming trend of some media outlets shifting from their core business of information to publicizing propaganda, currently known as uchawa” he added.
The report highlighted the continued existence of press violations, which at times contributed to increased self-censorship among media practitioners.
Presenting the executive summary of the report, former MCT Executive Secretary Kajubi Mukajanga pointed out that despite positive steps taken by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, such as lifting bans on several newspapers and meeting with editors, as well as supportive statements from Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa and the Minister for Information, Communication, and Information Technologies, Nape Nnauye, press violations continue to exist.
He noted that the report recorded incidences of editorial interference, suspension of programs on TV/radio, assault of journalists, banning and suspension of media outlets, threats, arrests, denial of access to information, detention, and fines. At least 46 press violations were reported in 2022 and 2023.
“All this contributed to self-censorship among media practitioners and organizations and an increase in praise-singing journalism,” Mukajanga said during his presentation.smr