SECTOR 1

1.3
There are no laws restricting freedom of
expression such as excessive official secret or libel
acts, or laws that unreasonably interfere with the
responsibilities of media.
A panellist posited that the situation had not changed from what it was in 2008,
noting that all restrictive pieces of legislation that were in place then are still in
existence today. Another panellist said that although the country has constitutional
guarantees on freedom of expression, article 30 of the constitution provides for
other subordinate powers that restrict these same freedoms.
Panellists were of the view that District Commissioners still had unquestioned
powers to restrict journalists from doing their jobs and that the arbitrary arrest
and/or harassment of journalists was still common.

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: 			

1.2 (2008 = 1.7 ; 2006 = 1.6)

1.4
Government makes every effort to honour
regional and international instruments on freedom of
expression and the media.
Tanzania has ratified several conventions on human and cultural rights. However,
one panellist expressed concern that these rights were not being respected by
highlighting the fact that only two languages were used in the media: English and
Kiswahili. He/she pointed out that this restricted citizens’ access to information
and freedom of expression, as there are some indigenous communities in the
country that do not speak Kiswahili, let alone English. Radio Orkonerei in
Manyara which broadcasts for the Maasai people in their indigenous language
was noted as one of the few media outlets that use a local language.

AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER TANZANIA 2010

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