BROADCASTING Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority announces stringent rules In June, authorities announced stringent broadcasting rules for the election period. Under the rules, bloggers, SMS pollsters, and broadcasters were required to register with the state-run Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority, comply with Tanzania’s laws governing the operation of electronic media, and ensure that information in blogs was accurate, factual, and balanced to all parties in the elections. The government through the Tanzania Communication Regulatory Authority (TCRA) introduced the Subsidiary Legislation, best known as the Broadcasting Services (Content)(The Political Party Elections Broadcasts) Code of 2015. This subsidiary legislation one was gazetted in June 2015 and media owners were informed during one of the seminars organized by TCRA. It specifically focuses on electronic media (radio, television and social media) during reporting of election issues. The Code has serious implications on free expression especially online. Journalists were given very little notice of this Code, yet they are directly affected by it. In June, the government passed a subsidiary legislation to the Broadcasting Services Code, specifically in relation to reporting on the upcoming elections. Ostensibly, the legislation is intended to encourage impartiality from journalists, but littered throughout the 20-page document are regulations that could seriously compromise journalistic freedom. Television broadcasters, for example, are mandated to report only on things that the government deems “interest- 80 So This is Democracy? 2015 ing and relevant” and prohibited from broadcasting any “inflammatory, defamatory and divisive matter.” Print journalists are cautioned to make sure their reporting is “accurate” and “balanced” and warned not to “hurt the feelings of any person.” Under the code, journalists are also prohibited from using any language that might “breach peace.” The terminology is general and rather vague, so any issue being discussed may fall under these broad terms. LOOKING FORWARD TO 2016 The Access to Information Act has to go back to the drawing board so that the content in particular underscores the essence of an informed public through guaranteeing the citizens’ access to public information, which empowers the people to call on their governments to account for their actions. A Right to Information Act should provide for the legal framework and procedures on how all Tanzanians can access information that is in the hands of the Government and its agencies but also on how Government can pro- actively share this information with the public. There is a need to review the Cybercrime Act 2015 and the Statistics Acts 2015 and repeal laws that restrict press freedom and put into place comprehensive and progressive legislation that provides for fundament and basic rights such as access to information, freedom of expression and provide a more conducive environment for media to operate and function effectively in keeping citizens informed.