STATE OF PRESS FREEDOM IN SOUTHERN AFRICA 2022 In an effort to manage the cost of accessing the internet, internet access and affordability of data have been incorporated into the Tanzania National Information and Communications Technology Policy of 2016.(7) For example, the data from 2019 and 2022 shows that the price paid per one megabyte has decreased from an average of Sh40 per megabyte to Sh8 per megabyte. While the price per megabyte seems to decrease, it must be noted that most people are subscribing to data bundles rather than using the internet without them. Independent estimates show that there are 6.10 million social media users in Tanzania, which translates to 9.8 percent of the total population. Analysis reveals that social media users in Tanzania increased by 700,000 (+13 percent) between 2021 and 2022. GENDER AND THE MEDIA Tanzania is largely a paternalistic state, where principles of gender equality are generally undermined. Despite calls for gender mainstreaming, cases of sexual harassment and lack of job security for female journalists in the country remains worrisome. Feminist organisations are concerned that this issue has been overlooked for years, making a number of female graduates in journalism prefer either not to practice the profession or get into the industry and face male dominance. Tanzania Media Women Association (TAMWA) director Rose Reuben said surveys have revealed many incidents of harassment of women journalists in newsrooms and those seeking jobs in the media industry. However, in most situations, these cases are not reported, making it difficult to resolve cases of sexual abuse of female journalists. Closely linked to that is the rising issue of cyberbullying of female journalists. Through training and raising awareness to key stakeholders, some of these issues can be addressed. THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 Tanzania’s attitude towards COVID-19 changed when President Suluhu came into power. Her predecessor was a famous COVID-19 denier, with Tanzania developing a level of notoriety during Magufuli’s tenure. The Cybercrimes Act, which criminalises the publication of falsehoods, made it impossible for journalists to report freely on the pandemic, while discussion on the disease on social media was muted thanks to the law. A report on media viability in Tanzania warns that the financial challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the attendant impact on the quality of content will be major issues of concern. Legacy media also face challenges of high registration costs and this has been made even worse by the financial challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.(8) References TANZANIA: MEDIA LAW REFORM PROCESS LACKS MOMENTUM (1) Pekkonen, S. (2022, February 24). Tanzania Press Freedom plunges into an unprecedented crisis. International Press Institute. Retrieved November 3, 2022 from https://ipi.media/tanzania-press-freedom-plunges-into-unprecedented-crisis/ (2) Tanzania https://rsf.org/en/index (3) President Samia: Tanzania to review ‘harsh’ media laws https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/president-samia-tanzania-to-review-harsh-medialaw-3803272 (4) KAS, 2005, SADC Media Law: A Handbook for Media Practitioners (5) Tanzania: Freedom in the world 2022 country report. Freedom House. (n.d.). Retrieved November 3, 2022, from https://freedomhouse.org/country/tanzania/freedom-world/2022 (6) Media viability in East Africa: Tanzania https://mediainnovationnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Media-Viability-in-Tanzania-1.pdf (7) The Chanzo, 2023, Here’s why costs of data in Tanzania are high. What is freedom of expression? Freedom Forum Institute. (n.d.). Retrieved November 3, 2022, from https://www.freedomforuminstitute.org/about/faq/what-is-freedom-of-expression (8) Media viability in East Africa: Tanzania https://mediainnovationnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Media-Viability-in-Tanzania-1.pdf 60