7KH0HGLD)UHHGRPVLWXDWLRQ There is no definite way of explaining the Media Freedom Situation in the country. If one explains it from the presence of media outlets’ point of view, one can conclude that Tanzania has a free press. This is because the country has one of the highest media concentrations in the region. According to registrar of the newspapers’ office Tanzania has 706 newspapers (both weeklies and dailies), and according to the Tanzania Communications and Regulatory Authority (TCRA), there are (licensed) 59 radio stations and 28 TV stations. However, whatever these outlets are reporting is a matter of concern when it comes to defining media freedom. If media freedom is defined from the fact that journalists have the right to publish anything that is of the public interest, then year 2012 has been challenging in terms of media freedom. Adherence to the Codes of ethics by editors/journalists is still a challenge. This is made difficult especially with interference from media owners themselves, influence by advertisers, news sources (particularly politicians), unqualified practitioners and the absence of a strong standing Media Law that enshrines press freedom. Among the important highlights of the year in terms of press freedom violations were the killing of TV Journalist Daudi Mwangosi by an explosive that was fired by the local police. The incident happened in Iringa region, where the Channel 10 Correspondent, alongside other reporters, was covering political rallies by the largest opposition party in the country, Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA). Another incident that almost took the life of another journalist was the shooting of Tanzania Daima Newspaper reporter, Shaban Matutu, at his home in the outskirts of the Commercial city of Dar es Salaam. Even though the police shot Matutu, there was no clear established link between his work and the shooting. Lawsuit threats by political leaders have been a common feature of the media status this year. Several cases have been referred to the Media Council of Tanzania (MCT) for mediation. One of the cases involved former Prime Minister, Edward Lowassa, and the local daily, Dira ya Mtanzania. MCT ruled that Dira ya Mtanzania newspaper undermined the journalism profession by publishing series of defamatory and biased stories on the former Prime Minister, while denying him the right of reply. It was ordered to apologise to Lowassa and reimburse the costs, including those incurred in instituting the complaint. Court cases by the government against independent newspapers were also recovered in this year. One of the most covered cases was against the local weekly Tanzania Daima and its editor (by then) Absalom Kibanda for publishing an article that the government said was meant to incite chaos in the country. The case also involved the publisher, Mwananchi Communication Ltd, which was represented by Theofil Makunga (then 6R7KLVLV'HPRFUDF\"