Tanzania Surges Ahead: East Africa’s Press Freedom Leader in 2024, RSF Report Reveals

By Adonis Byemelwa

Tanzania takes the lead in championing press freedom across the East African Community (EAC) for 2024, a striking feat in a region marked by varying degrees of media repression. Amidst a landscape where censorship and intimidation often stifle journalistic integrity, Tanzania emerges as a beacon of hope, as highlighted by the latest report from Reporters Without Borders (RSF). While other EAC nations grapple with constraints on free speech and media independence, Tanzania stands out for its commitment to upholding the fundamental right to press freedom.

This astonishing achievement signifies a significant leap from its previous position at 143rd in 2023 to an impressive 97th place this year, showcasing the nation's remarkable progress in bolstering press freedom.

 Tanzania's ascent to the top spot among East African nations underlines its unwavering commitment to fostering a more open and transparent media environment, surpassing even its counterparts across the African continent.

President Samia Hassan's administration, since assuming office in March 2021, has spearheaded efforts to strengthen press freedom in the country, aligning with her 4R Philosophy: Reform, Reconciliation, Resilience, and Rebuilding.

 Under her leadership, Tanzania has witnessed unprecedented improvements in press freedom, with initiatives aimed at reopening previously shuttered newspapers and enhancing working conditions for journalists and media outlets nationwide. Incidents of media shutdowns, fines, arrests of journalists, or killings while on duty have notably vanished from the country's landscape, marking a significant departure from past practices.

In a recent illuminating interview with the BBC on April 3, 2024, Salome Kitomari, chairperson of the Media Institute of Southern Africa Tanzania (MISA-TAN), offered a nuanced perspective on Tanzania's media landscape.

While acknowledging the strides made in press freedom, Kitomari cautioned against overly celebratory narratives, pointing to widespread financial challenges plaguing numerous media outlets. She highlighted the heavy reliance on government advertisements for survival, a dynamic that potentially compromises media independence by granting the government undue influence.

The plight of employees at The Guardian Limited serves as a poignant reminder of the systemic inequalities within Tanzania's media industry. Anonymous employees took to Jamii Forum, a popular online platform, to vent their frustrations over unpaid salaries, discriminatory treatment, and the presence of unqualified foreign nationals in key positions within the company.

In a scathing exposé by The Guardian, it's revealed that amid widespread reports of underperformance, Indian expatriates are luxuriating in extravagant perks, while their Tanzanian counterparts battle to scrape by, laying bare stark inequalities and igniting a firestorm of indignation over the exploitation of indigenous talent.

Ministers for Information, Nape Nnauye and Deputy Premier, Doto Biteko, have pledged to address the economic challenges faced by media companies indebted to the government, signaling a commitment to revitalizing the media landscape and ensuring the well-being of media workers. However, the termination of contracts for qualified Tanzanian employees based solely on salary considerations highlights the arbitrary nature of management decisions and perpetuates a culture of fear and uncertainty in the workforce.

The complicity of senior management in prioritizing the interests of foreign nationals over local employees further exacerbates concerns about fairness and equity within the industry. Calls for government intervention and a thorough investigation into these issues underscore the urgent need for regulatory oversight to safeguard the rights of media workers and uphold principles of fairness and transparency.

In a climate already fraught with challenges, Tanzania's media sphere confronts yet another hurdle: stringent governmental regulations, including the Statistics Act and the Cybercrimes Act, which cast a suffocating shadow over the free flow of information, granting authorities sweeping powers to suppress online dissent and critique.

Adding fuel to the fire, a recent opinion poll conducted by Mwananchi Communications Limited on Tanzania's economic policies under past and present presidents sparked controversy. The results, revealing a staggering 59% approval rating for late President John Magufuli, sent shockwaves through the nation. However, the news outlet faced allegations of succumbing to pressure to retract the poll from social media platforms. Mwananchi management attributed the removal to purported faults in data analysis software, a move that drew sharp scrutiny from the public.

The fallout from the poll's removal didn't end there. Reports emerged of high-level summons, with both the President and numerous officials called to account by top leaders. This episode underscores not only the precarious state of press freedom but also the tight grip on public discourse within Tanzania's political landscape.

These oppressive legislations not only impede journalists' ability to report accurately but also foster a climate of censorship and self-censorship, undermining the fundamental principles of democracy and freedom of expression.

Renowned senior lecturer Fr. Dr. Francis Xavier Ng'atigwa of Saint Augustine University has ignited discourse on Tanzania's media landscape, challenging prevailing assessments of the nation's press freedom. Ngatigwa’s incisive analysis underscores a critical gap between perception and reality, contending that the proliferation of news channels alone does not signify genuine press freedom. He asserts, "True press freedom cannot be measured by the quantity of media outlets, but rather by the quality of their investigative journalism and critical analysis."

Dr. Ng'atigwa's critique highlights a prevailing trend in Tanzanian media, where event reporting often eclipses in-depth investigative journalism. "Tanzania still lacks genuine press freedom," he argues, "as many media platforms prioritize superficial reporting over substantive analysis." This dearth of critical scrutiny, according to Ng'atigwa, leaves the notion of press freedom incomplete and fails to serve the public interest.

Despite these challenges, Tanzania's media landscape paints a vibrant picture of cultural diversity and socio-political complexity. With over 218 registered radios, including 42 community stations, and a plethora of newspapers, magazines, television stations, and online platforms, the nation's media ecosystem offers a diverse array of voices and perspectives. As Ng'atigwa aptly summarizes, "Tanzania's media scene reflects the nation's multifaceted identity, but true press freedom requires a deeper commitment to investigative journalism and critical analysis."

Drawing parallels to historical examples such as the struggles for independence in Zimbabwe and Uganda, Fr. Dr. Ng'atigwa highlights the potency of a few influential news outlets with robust ideas that can effect change within a community. He implies that the impact of media is not determined by the sheer number of outlets but rather by the quality and depth of their content.

Fr. Dr. Ng'atigwa raises skepticism regarding reports that rank Tanzania higher in press freedom compared to other East African countries, dismissing them as potentially influenced by populism and lacking rigorous analysis.

He suggests that such assessments may serve political agendas, particularly in the lead-up to elections, rather than genuinely reflecting the state of press freedom in the country. He criticizes editorial decisions that he perceives as being driven by political interests rather than journalistic integrity.

Meanwhile, Uganda's legal battle for press freedom echoes through history, with a landmark Supreme Court ruling in 2004 affirming the importance of a free and independent press in a democratic society.

 In Kenya, the media has played a pivotal role in the struggle for democracy and constitutional reforms, despite facing numerous challenges such as harassment, detention, and violence. Conversely, Rwanda and Somalia continue to grapple with severe restrictions on press freedom, with journalists risking imprisonment or worse for reporting on topics critical of the government.

South Sudan, as it prepares for its first-ever elections, faces challenges in ensuring press freedom and transparency. Burundi, following a transition of power, holds cautious hope for a more open media environment under new leadership.

These narratives highlight the vital role of press freedom in advancing democracy, promoting accountability, and safeguarding human rights across Africa, serving as a reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by journalists and media organizations in their quest to inform the public and hold power to account.

As the world commemorates World Press Freedom Day, these stories serve as a poignant reminder of the importance of defending and upholding press freedom as a cornerstone of democratic societies. They highlight the urgent need for continued vigilance and advocacy to protect the rights of journalists and ensure a vibrant and independent media landscape for generations to come.