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.

Tanzania: Shrinking civic space ahead of the October 2020 elections
11.09.2020 10 min read

Tanzania: Shrinking civic space ahead of the October 2020 elections

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Tanzania: New Content Regulations Criminalise Free Speech Online
31.08.2020 13 min read

Tanzania: New Content Regulations Criminalise Free Speech Online

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Tanzania: SIM card deactivation poses a significant threat to freedom of expression
06.02.2020 5 min read

Tanzania: SIM card deactivation poses a significant threat to freedom of expression

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05.12.2019 5 min read

Tanzania: Government withdraws individuals’ and NGOs’ right to direct access to African Court

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16.09.2019 2 min read

HRC42: States must protect safety of journalists

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02.08.2019 4 min read

Tanzania: Release Eric Kabendera and stop harassment of journalists

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08.11.2018 3 min read

Tanzania: LGBTQ activists arrested and held without charge during official anti-gay campaign in Dar es Salaam

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26.06.2018 3 min read

Tanzania: EA Court ruling upholds media freedom in reversing newspaper ban

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26.06.2018 11 min read

Eastern Africa: New tax and licensing rules for social media threaten freedom of expression

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