SECTOR 3 Broadcasting regulation is transparent and independent; the State broadcaster is transformed into a truly public broadcaster. 3.1 Broadcasting legislation has been passed and is implemented that provides for a conducive environment for public, commercial and community broadcasting. The Broadcasting Services Acts of 1993 enabled the establishment of commercial radio stations, while the Tanzania Communication Regulatory Authority (TCRA) Act of 2003 provided for the division of broadcasting services into public, commercial and community broadcasters. “The structure is there, but the implementation is problematic.” In Tanzania, community broadcasters are not clearly defined and do not meet the requirements of the African Charter on Broadcasting, in terms of being community owned and controlled, with the community’s interests at heart. The term ‘community broadcasters’ seem to refer to broadcasters with coverage only within a specific geographical area – usually limited to a district. In Tanzania, community radio stations are often owned by local government, while community television stations are either owned by a faith-based organisation or local government. Community based organisations struggle to source sufficient funding to be involved in this sector. In a way, the local government-run community broadcasters function as public broadcasting should, at a community level, while the ‘public’ radio and television stations, under TBC, are more state- than public-owned, with the ruling party’s interests at heart. “The former director general of the TBC Tido Mhando was very keen to transform TBC into a truly public broadcaster, but his contract was not renewed. This happened soon after the ruling party criticised TBC in 2010 for having made its election candidates look bad. Religious stations, like the Catholic Charge Radio, are registered as community stations, and have limited district coverage although strictly they should be national in terms of their broad target. The Maasai radio station, Orkonerei Radio, is not comparable to those targeting small, rural communities but they are registered in the same way as those with a limited focus. 46 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER Tanzania 2015