SECTOR 1 ‘The information was true. The real problem was that they did not verify with the NBS’. According to panellists, attacks on freedom of expression and the press ranged from the arbitrary use of the law to direct physical assault. Between 2016 and 2017, the Legal and Human Rights Center (LHRC), an NGO, recorded 17 cases of harassment against journalists and human rights defenders and many more against other members of the public.7 Investigative journalist Azory Gwanda disappeared in November 2017, and at the time of this publication there is no information on whether he is still alive. Civil society organisations are criticising the lack of investigation into his case. According to panellists and Article 19 East Africa, Gwanda had been investigating a spate of murders targeting local officials and security personnel, some allegedly by ‘mystery motorcycle attackers’, when he was taken by unidentified men on the morning of the 21st November 2017.8 The government’s perceived suspicion against free speech has bred fear. Panellists noted that journalists and news media organisations have been forced to practise self-censorship because the risk of reprisal had become high. One panellist described the current context as follows: Journalists will tell you they are not free. Right now, if you want to succeed in journalism, you must sing praises or report only the things those in power want to hear. Investigative journalism is no longer on the agenda in Tanzania. Even event reporting has become risky. For example, authorities imposed a fine of 60 million TZS [US$27,000] on five TV channels for airing a press conference by the Legal and Human Rights Centre.9 In 2019, a report titled the Yearbook on Media Quality in Tanzania 2018: Synthesised Report on Overall Results showed that there was a marked decline in political reporting in the Tanzanian media.10 Panellists added that most news reports were ‘one-source stories as it has become increasingly difficult to corroborate or have sources on the record’. According to their submissions, even ministers and senior public officials have grown reluctant to speak to the press. Panellists stated that within this context, critical features, analyses, commentary and opinions have all but disappeared from newspapers. Where they still exist, ‘the language has changed,’ explained one panellist, ‘you have to read three lines below to understand what is being said.’ Panellists said beyond the media and journalists, members of the public are unable to freely express their opinions. ‘Pavement radio’ is an expression that 7 FIDH and LHRC (2017). Tanzania: Freedom of Expression in Peril, Joint Situation Note. No 698a. Available online at: https:// www.fidh.org/IMG/pdf/joint_position_note_tanzania_fidh_lhrc.pdf. Last accessed on 21 May 2019. 8 See Article 19 East Africa. Available online at https://www.article19.org/resources/tanzania-concern-grows-missingjournalist-azory-gwanda/. Last accessed on 20 May 2019. 9 Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported that at the press conference, LHRC discussed alleged abuses by the government during the 2017 presidential election. Fined news outlets were charged with airing ‘seditious’ content and contravening the Broadcasting Act. https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2019/country-chapters/tanzania-and-zanzibar. Last accessed on 20 May 2019. 10 Spurk, C & Katunzi, A. 2019. Yearbook on Media Quality in Tanzania 2018: Synthesised Report on Overall Results. Media Council on Tanzania and Spurk Media Consulting Ltd. 14 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER TANZANIA 2019