SECTOR 1 1.10 Civil society in general and media lobby groups actively advance the cause of media freedom The civil society in Tanzania is considered generally well-organised and active. Often, it rallies around the media and media causes such as access to information and the decriminalisation of libel. The Coalition on the Right to Information (CORI) is known for mobilising like-minded organisations to lead strategic litigations and lobby against restrictive media laws. Other organisations that frequently take up the media’s causes as part of their mission include the The Tanzanian Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC) and East African Civil Society Organisations’ Forum (EACSOF). Panellists said that individual NGOs used different approaches and highlighted various issues, but quite often they engage in coordinated action. Such work from NGOs outside the media space complements those of media organisations and lobbies. These too are considered vibrant and active in pressing for media rights. The most notable media organisations at work include the Tanzania Editors Forum, the Media Council of Tanzania (MCT), Tanzania Media Foundation (TMF), the Tanzania Development Information Organisation (TADIO), the THRDC, the Union of Tanzanian Press Clubs and the national chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA). 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: Score of previous years: ✓✓✓✓✓ ✓ ✓✓ ✓✓ ✓ ✓ 4.2 2006: 2.8; 2008: 2.7; 2010: 3.2; 2012: 4.1; 2015: 4.1 1.11 Media legislation evolves from meaningful consultations among state institutions, citizens and interest groups By and large, the law-making process in Tanzania is controlled by the central government and often lacks meaningful input from other political and social actors. According to panellists, where some consultation is held, views that do not align with the government’s agenda are hardly retained. In extreme cases, the government uses groups and individuals outside the formal legislative process to push pro-government during consultation meetings – to the detriment of critical voices. 23 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER TANZANIA 2019