SECTOR 3 The TCRA is seen less as a regulatory ‘policeman’ and more as a partner in the media. The body’s licensing procedures have become more lenient in the last three years, granting community broadcasting licenses even to politicians, which was not previously allowed. There is the fear that these ‘community’ stations are just building the power of parliamentarians with their invested interests, rather than those of the community concerned. Scores: Individual scores: 1 Country does not meet indicator 2 Country meets only a few aspects of indicator 3 Country meets some aspects of indicator 4 Country meets most aspects of indicator 5 Country meets all aspects of the indicator Average score: 3.3 (2012 = 3.8; 2010 = 2.1; 2008 = 2.8; 2006 = 2.6) 3.2 Broadcasting is regulated by an independent body that is adequately protected by law against interference and whose board is not dominated by any particular political party and is appointed – in an open way – involving civil society and not dominated by any particular political party. Broadcasting is regulated by the TCRA, which is protected by law through the TCRA Act, but not in practice. The appointment of its board is not done in independent or transparent manner and does not involve input from civil society. In terms of the actual functioning of the regulatory body, panellists were unsure about its practical independence. It was noted that the TCRA’s current Director General (DG) John Mkoma “has been resisting government pressure” and has been producing results in the process. However, he retires at the end of June 2015. “The independence of the TCRA really depends on the integrity of the individual DG.” In 2011, a clause was introduced into the TCRA Act saying that the Information Minister must approve the registration of broadcasters. This has introduced a political element to the registration process, which previously depended on the AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER Tanzania 2015 47