Tanzania
has been very courageous in exposing corruption in very high places.
There was consensus that political tolerance was high allowing journalists to criticize the government. However this should not be mistaken as there being freedom of expression since the laws remain
in place and could be evoked at any time. The panelists pointed out
that the Fourth Phase Government under President Jakaya Kikwete
has been quite tolerant. However, freedom of information should
not be confused with political tolerance.
A recent study by the Coalition on the Right to Information has
proposed that of the 27 legislations that touch on issues of right to
information, 17 of them need to be reviewed, amended or repealed
because they suppress access to information, press freedom and
freedom of expression (See appendix 1).
The panellists held the same opinion on Zanzibar, where although
there are Constitutional guarantees on the right to free expression
and information these rights are abrogated by the existence of laws
such as Newspapers and Broadcasting Acts which do not support
access to information, freedom of expression and are unfriendly to
the media.
SCORES:
Individual scores:			

3, 1, 2, 2, 3, 2, 4, 3, 2

Average score:			

2.4 (2006= 2.8)

1.2

The right to freedom of expression is practised and 			
citizens, including journalists, are asserting their 			
rights without fear.

ANALYSIS:
There was general consensus that free expression of opinion especially among the citizens is still low. Although people do discuss a
4				

African Media Barometer - Tanzania 2008

Select target paragraph3