MISA Regional Annual Report 2023 Introduction MISA Tanzania is a non-governmental organisation that has been actively involved in advocacy, lobbying, and campaigns to promote and defend freedom of expression, freedom of media, and human rights in Tanzania. Its strategic objectives focus on promoting media diversity and pluralism in Tanzania through campaigning and advocacy for freedom of expression and the right to information. This report covers the organisations’ summary activities for the year 2023, explaining the current operating environment, successes, challenges, planned and implemented projects, opportunities, and challenges faced. Operating environment Since President Samia Suluhu Hassan came to power in 2021, there has been optimism about freedom of expression and the media. This has improved the operating environment for MISA Tanzania, which is working on consolidating its position and restoring relations with stakeholders. The years prior to 2023 were characterised by a recession and limited funding for projects advocating for freedom of expression and access to information. In 2022, Tanzania was ranked 123 on the Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index but tumbled to 143 the following year. This has not dampened optimism for an improved environment for freedom of expression and the media. The government insists it is committed to freedom of expression, and its commitment is anchored in the philosophy that progress, Country Reports Snapshots happiness, and peace cannot exist without freedom. MISA Tanzania, together with other organisations under a coalition of organisations that advocates for access to information in Tanzania, Coalition on the Right to Information (CoRI), tabled a bill for the Media Service Amendment Bill in January 2023 and was to be debated by the legislature the following month. The bill was eventually brought to the legislature on 13 June 2023 through the Written Laws (Miscellaneous Amendment) Act No. 1, 2023, following several engagements between stakeholders and the legislature. There were many hurdles to this point, but this reinforces the sector’s optimism in President Suluhu’s administration and its commitment to reform. Some of the positives under this law are that defamation has been decriminalised, and aggrieved parties will now have to resort to the civil route if they believe they have been defamed. Private media houses will now receive advertising from the state, while the powers of the courts to confiscate the equipment of media houses have now been withdrawn. Lastly, the amendments will strengthen the Independent Media Council of Tanzania (IMC) – not yet in operation. Previously, courts of law dealt with media regulation complaints, sometimes even at the lowest levels of the courts. All complaints will have to go through the IMC first, and those not satisfied by its decision can then appeal to the High Court of Tanzania. 33