Country Reports Snapshots While local stakeholders feel that this is a positive development, they still believe that more is needed for Tanzania to be considered to have truly turned the corner in improving the operating environment. The new law still contains provisions that criminalise “sedition”, raising fears that authorities could take advantage of these provisions to censor the media, and this also inculcates a culture of self-censorship. that sustain advocacy efforts for improved media laws. For this reason, MISA Tanzania needs to come up with better approaches when it comes to advocacy and continue pushing for a better freedom of expression environment, as the reforms that have been implemented so far still need to be improved. MISA Tanzania and the CORI Coalition will prioritise advocacy on law reform, press freedom and access to information, as the situation in the civic space and media needs more effort. In line with the proposed changes, there is a need to review other existing laws, such as the Electronic and Postal Communications Act (EPOCA) and the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act, to eliminate provisions incompatible with the effective protection and promotion of freedom of expression. There is also a need to amend the Prison Act of 1976, hindering access to information. In 2023, MISA Tanzania continued to work closely with existing partners and funders, as highlighted below: The government, through the Minister of Information, Communication and Information Technology, Nape Nnauye, has outlined plans to consolidate the Media Services Act and Electronic and Postal Communication Act 2010 (MSA 2016 and EPOCA 2010) into one law to facilitate effective sector coordination and unity among stakeholders in print, electronic, and social media. Furthermore, the government plans to merge legislation about media and broadcasting issues. Media stakeholders will align their advocacy agendas to contribute to the reform agenda. There is also a need for media development partners to ensure they support initiatives 34 Projects and activities International Media Support (IMS) IMS has been working with MISA Tanzania in building civil society’s capacity and participation in advocacy on media policy, citizen access to information and fundamental freedom project. Finnish Foundation for Media and Development (VIKES) MISA Tanzania is working with VIKES to implement the Women in Media project that promotes a diverse and pluralistic media environment for women journalists. This entails changing the societal roles and attributes that perpetuate and reinforce gender inequalities in the media through advocacy and lobby strategies and capacitybuilding training. The project focuses on the training and empowerment of women journalists in Tanzania. One of the project’s key activities was to train 150 women journalists in various areas of journalism to enhance their skills and employability. American Bar Association. (ABA ROLI) MISA Tanzania implemented a project promoting freedom of expression, rule of law and access to justice in Tanzania. www.misa.org