Tanzania media guide
- Published
Under John Magufuli the government cracked down on its critics, including the press. Samia Suluhu Hassan, who became president after Magufuli's death in 2021, has begun to reverse these trends.
The government has lifted bans and suspensions of several major newspapers. Freedom House says while there has been an increase in qualified criticism of the government, "self-censorship and pro-government bias remain prevalent".
The mainland and Zanzibar have separate media policies. Islanders can pick up broadcasts from the mainland and read the mainland press.
Television is eroding radio's traditional dominance, and Tanzania has made the switch to digital TV. Media ownership is highly concentrated. IPP Media and the state-run Tanzanian Broadcasting Corporation are major players.
There were 23.1 million internet users by December 2021, comprising 37% of the population (Worldinternetstats.com). Facebook is the most popular social platform.
Rules introduced in 2018 require bloggers and the owners of discussion platforms and streaming services to pay registration fees.
Press
Daily News, external - government owned, Tanzania's oldest newspaper
Habari Leo, external - in Swahili, from publisher of Daily News
The Guardian, external - private, Tanzania's leading daily, owned by IPP Medai group
Financial Times, external - business news, also owned by IPP Media
The Citizen, external - private
Nipashe, external - private, in Swahili
Television
Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC), external - state-run
Independent Television (ITV), external - private, reportedly the most influential in the country
Azam TV, external - private, station operates three channels featuring news, entertainment, documentaries
Clouds TV, external - private media group, TV and radio
Radio
Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC), external - state-run
Radio Free Africa, external - private
Radio One, external - private
Capital Radio, external - private
East Africa Radio, external - private