SECTOR 4 4.5 Journalists and media houses have integrity and are not corrupt Brown envelope journalism, a practice where journalists are given cash and other handouts in exchange for flattering reporting, is widespread in Tanzania. With poor pay and working conditions, panellists said journalists were vulnerable to corruption and routinely received favours from news sources and event organisers. The practice is rampant during elections when political leaders bribe journalists to cover their campaigns. Panellists described more subtle forms of corrupt behaviour such as the acceptance of free transportation, hotel stays and other non-financial favours in exchange for news stories. The special interests of media owners also shape how the news is covered. Panellists said certain businesses would never be covered negatively in some media because of the association they have with media owners: It is hard to get journalists to cover a major scandal involving a big advertiser. There was a court case against a brewery company over bad products. Every time, the courtroom was filled with journalists, but not a single story was published or aired after that. The media will never report accidents involving certain transportation companies. The big advertisers have got their way to silence the media. A few news organisations have policies that require journalists to declare gifts and other favours they receive from news sources. ‘But usually they just say, “Let this stay between us,”’ said one panellist. 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: 49 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER TANZANIA 2019 ✓✓✓✓✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓✓ ✓ 1.9 2006: n/a; 2008: n/a; 2010: 2; 2012: 1.5; 2015: 2.3 ✓