SECTOR 2 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: 2.3 (2010 = 1.9; 2008 = 1.8; 2006 = 2.4) 2.4 The editorial independence of print media published by a public authority is protected adequately against undue political interference. There is no law protecting the editorial independence of the government-owned newspapers from political interference, and the panellists felt that editorial independence does not exist at such publications. State newspapers include the Standard, Habari Leo (Kiswahili), the Daily News (English), the Sunday News and the Zanzibar Leo, all of which are published under the Tanzania Standard company. The editorials of these newspapers come out very strongly in favour of the ruling party, while most of the private media publications are seen to be in support of opposition parties. “Government-owned publications will not lead with a pro-opposition story. Press conferences that criticise government in any way will be side-lined by the stateowned media.” Panellists noted that state-owned newspapers become particularly vocal in their bias in the run-up to elections, even though the media is supposed to remain impartial and equitable at such a time. “This could be a result of self-censorship on behalf of the editor, who wants to stay in government’s good books, or it might be that a state official has pressured this editor into taking a specific angle.” Notably, the appointments of the chairperson of the board and the managing editor of state-run publications are made by the president, while the Minister of Information, Youth, Culture and Sports appoints the members of the board. 28 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER TANZANIA 2012