57 SOUTHERN AFRICA PRESS FREEDOM REPORT 2019-2020 as remuneration and insurance cover in case of accidents or any other occurrences. Media houses often seem reluctant to provide assistance when these journalists encounter miserable situations in the course of performing their duties. The country has witnessed suspension of newspapers; imposition of fines on radio and television stations; journalists’ arrests and arbitrary detainment; closure of online media; and verbal and written warnings issued to media and journalists. These are signs of deteriorating freedom of expression and media in the country over the last decade. MEDIA AND GENDER Media freedom also lies in how the media portray women and men. A study conducted by the Media Council of Tanzania on Women in the Newsroom (2019) (119) have shown that “women sources are few compared to men.” In general, the media in Tanzania continues to present both women and men in stereotyped ways that limit perceptions of human possibilities. The number of women editors or managers in newsrooms has been very small over the years. For example, there are only four women media executives (owners/directors) to date. However, the trend is changing for the better. A number of managers and editors are being appointed owing to better education and development of gender media policies. IMPACT OF THE PANDEMIC In its initial response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the government of Tanzania announced a series of measures including the suspension of all social and formal gatherings, including seminars, workshops, music concerts, political rallies and travel for 30 days, as a way of curbing the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. The ban was later extended in April for an unspecified period of time due to the increase in transmission cases. However, unlike other countries which quickly adopted lockdown policies, this was not the case in Tanzania. It was categorically stated by the president that Tanzania will neither close its borders nor subject its citizens to lockdowns because of economic reasons. Tanzanian media seemed to lack both proper information on Covid-19 and the means to protect themselves while dealing with the pandemic. This lack of knowledge of the disease led to shallow and uninformed media reports on the pandemic. Apart from the messages from the ministry of health, (120) there was no in-depth coverage of the pandemic. A number of journalists and media houses have been victimised over the dissemination of Covid-19 related messages.