Tanzania

Threats from government officials against media outlets in Tanzania have led to a culture of self-censorship among journalists. With sedition, publication of “false news”, insult, criminal defamation and cyber security laws used to arrest individuals dissenting on social media, Tanzanian authorities have taken steps to persecute and prosecute dissent in the media and among the public.

With the passage and rigorous implementation of the repressive Media Services Act and the Cyber Crime Act, the government has been granted broad powers to restrict free speech. The Media Services Act criminalises “sedition” and “false news”, which the Cyber Crime Act enables broad surveillance powers and criminal charges for expression online. The Penal Code also continues to be used to suppress dissenting voices.

ARTICLE 19 focuses on bringing the international community’s attention to violations in the country through engagement with international mechanisms, and training journalists and local civil society groups to effectively engage with UN and AU bodies. We monitor digital threats and surveillance tactics, and develop mitigation strategies to help civil society and human rights defenders continue their work without suffering censorship.

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Tanzania: Protect the right to protest ahead of elections

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Tanzania: Government should do more to protect civic space

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Rising to the challenges: ARTICLE 19 Eastern Africa’s Annual Report 2021
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Rising to the challenges: ARTICLE 19 Eastern Africa’s Annual Report 2021

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Eastern Africa: Digital Technologies Must Respect Human Rights
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Eastern Africa: Digital Technologies Must Respect Human Rights

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Internet: Content moderation at infrastructure level puts rights at risk
25.10.2021 8 min read

Internet: Content moderation at infrastructure level puts rights at risk

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Tanzania: Draft online content laws undermine freedom of expression
21.09.2021 2 min read

Tanzania: Draft online content laws undermine freedom of expression

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Tanzania: Opposition leader and six colleagues charged with terrorism related crimes
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Tanzania: Opposition leader and six colleagues charged with terrorism related crimes

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Tanzania: Upcoming UPR must result in reforms for free expression
26.03.2021 2 min read

Tanzania: Upcoming UPR must result in reforms for free expression

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Threats to Free Speech Online in Eastern Africa 
11.02.2021 6 min read

Threats to Free Speech Online in Eastern Africa 

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