SECTOR 2 The media landscape, including new media, is characterised by diversity, independence and sustainability 2.1 A wide range of sources of information (print, broadcasting, internet) is available and affordable to citizens. Tanzania has one of the most vibrant media landscapes in the region, with over 18 daily newspapers, 41 weeklies, 60 radio stations and 15 television stations as well as internet accessibility.8 Infrastructure to transport newspapers to rural areas is, however, prohibitive. On the gender front, women have limited access to radio in rural areas while men move around with their radio sets. A panellist noted that in Tanzania, internet caters for only 1% of the country’s population (currently estimated at 40 million). Television is accessed by only 5% of the population, while about 15 million Tanzanians own radio sets. Challenges in media distribution include limited circulation of newspapers, the low purchasing power of most citizens, the high cost of batteries for radio sets and the dearth in electricity provision to rural dwellers, and the high costs of owning television sets or accessing internet. With regards to television access, the panel was informed of an initiative underway by UNESCO to establish telecenters in the country’s regions. A panellist observed that the oral tradition is still very dominant in Tanzania, to the point that it affects the reading culture among many citizens. Apart from the challenges of media access and reach, panellists underscored the importance of reassessing media content to establish the extent to which it meets the needs and aspirations of different sections of the population. Panellists agreed that despite these challenges, Tanzania’s media is fairing well in terms of providing a wide range of information sources for its citizens. 8 Most media outlets, including internet accessibility are urban based. 22 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER TANZANIA 2010