SECTOR 4 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: 2.3 (2012 = 1.5; 2010 = 2.0; 2008 = n/a; 2006 = n/a) 4.6 Journalists and editors do not practise self-censorship in in the private broadcasting and print media. With threatening laws, like the Newspaper Act of 1976, hanging over the media, self-censorship is widely practised in most media houses in Tanzania. Most editors fear being closed down by the government. As a result, selfcensorship is usually an unwritten policy of most media houses, so there is rarely critical reporting about the state. Fear of losing advertising, especially from big advertisers, also results in self-censorship around negative reporting of these companies. “Politicians who own newspapers set their own agenda through the publication and there are certain topics that just won’t be reported on.” While many media houses have their own codes of conduct or are signatories to the MCT’s code of conduct, when it comes to self-censorship, many don’t stick to these ethical blueprints. While some media owners may influence editorial content, most are not aware of what will be published on a daily basis, and it is the senior staff and the editors who most practise self-censorship. “Even in The Citizen, and market-leader Mwananchi, you won’t find negative reports about the owner and his other businesses. It is just an unwritten rule to which all the staff subscribe.” AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER Tanzania 2015 63