By Adonis Byemelwa
Yesterday, March 3, 2025, the media landscape in Tanzania witnessed a significant shift with the launch of the Journalists Accreditation Board. A moment hailed as a potential game-changer for the country’s press, it was accompanied by the hopes of government officials who, led by the Minister of Culture, Arts, and Sports, Prof. Palamagamba Kabudi, framed it as a pivotal step toward professionalism, ethics, and integrity.
The event at Johari Rotana in Dar es Salaam, where Kabudi was joined by Board Chair Tido Mhando, seemed promising on the surface. But beneath the celebrations and official proclamations, a deeper question lingered: Would this new initiative offer real change or simply solidify the government’s grip on the media?
Tanzania’s press has long been caught in a struggle between journalistic freedom and government control. In recent years, a series of increasingly draconian laws have cast long shadows over media professionals.
The introduction of the 2016 Media Services Act, under the administration of President John Magufuli, heralded a shift that many believed would professionalize the media. Instead, the law has been widely viewed as a tool for stifling dissent and curbing press freedom. As the government gained control over media licensing and the definition of “national importance,” its ability to restrict content deemed unsavoury or contrary to its narrative became a hallmark of the administration.
With these laws in place, the media landscape has been shaped by fear, censorship, and a growing reliance on self-censorship. Journalists often found themselves walking a fine line, balancing their professional duty to inform the public with the risk of persecution.
In a country where the word “offense” has been broadened to cover anything that doesn’t align with the official government stance, the line between truth and punishment has become perilously thin.
A recent example serves as a sharp reminder: In 2019, three web TV stations and a leading daily newspaper were arbitrarily banned by the government. It was just one of many incidents where the authorities used the Media Services Act to silence critical voices and punish those who dared to report on sensitive issues.
This has left many journalists in a state of constant fear, unsure of what could trigger the next suspension, shutdown, or even arrest. With such an environment already in place, the question arises: Can the Journalists Accreditation Board, established to improve the professional standards of journalists, make a meaningful difference?
Tido Mhando, a veteran journalist and now the chairman of the accreditation board, has long advocated for the improvement of journalism standards in Tanzania. He sees the establishment of the board as an opportunity to raise the status of journalism in the country. At the launch event, he noted, “This will uplift the journalism profession and fortify its contribution to national development.” For him, the board represents not just a regulatory body but a chance to elevate journalism to a more respected profession, akin to law or medicine.
Mhando’s optimism, however, must be viewed in light of Tanzania’s complicated media environment.
While the intention behind the Journalists Accreditation Board might be genuine, the reality of press freedom in Tanzania raises doubts about its true effectiveness.
The board’s objectives to accredit journalists, promote professional ethics, and create a comprehensive database of active journalists may sound like the first steps toward a more transparent and accountable media. However, these objectives are not immune to the larger, more troubling backdrop of government overreach.
Dr. Egbert Mkoko, a lecturer at the University of Dar es Salaam and a member of the board, is cautiously optimistic about the board’s potential. He believes that the board could indeed create a space for journalists to improve their professional standards.
“This initiative offers a platform that encourages higher professional standards for journalists,” he reflected in a recent interview.
Yet, Mkoko’s optimism is tempered by diverse views by Ndaki Nginila, a teacher based in Tarime, Mara, who notes the ongoing threats to press freedom. According to Nginila, the board’s mission could easily be compromised by the same forces that have already undermined journalistic integrity in Tanzania—the government’s power to decide what constitutes “acceptable” journalism.
This leads to an uncomfortable paradox: while the accreditation process could encourage professionalism, it may also become another tool for government control.
The introduction of the board comes at a time when Tanzania’s media is caught in an ongoing battle for its survival.
The economic struggles faced by journalists have added another layer of complexity to the already fraught situation. Journalists in Tanzania often work under conditions that would be unacceptable in many parts of the world—low pay, job insecurity, and an overwhelming workload.
Freelance journalists, in particular, are often exploited by media outlets that pay poorly and offer little in the way of benefits. In this environment, the pressure to produce content quickly often outweighs the need for accuracy or depth. Investigative journalism, the bedrock of a free and accountable press, is an increasingly rare luxury.
Dr. Mkoko, who has seen the realities faced by journalists firsthand, believes that the economic conditions of journalists must be addressed before any meaningful change can occur.
“I wish the media sector were treated with the same respect as other professions like engineering or medicine,” he said, echoing the frustrations of many in the industry. Journalists, he argued, deserve better pay and working conditions to enable them to carry out their work without fear of exploitation or harassment.
Deodatus Balile, Chairman of the Forum of Editors in Tanzania, echoed Mkoko’s sentiment. He stressed that while the introduction of the accreditation board is an important step, it cannot succeed in isolation.
“There needs to be a serious conversation about how to improve the economic conditions of journalists,” Balile said. “Journalists are crucial to the functioning of democracy, and their working conditions should reflect that.” Without addressing these core issues, Balile warned, the board’s potential to truly professionalise journalism would remain limited.
It is hard to deny the critical importance of an independent and professional media in a functioning democracy. In Tanzania, the role of the media in holding those in power accountable is more vital than ever.
However, the success of the Journalists Accreditation Board will ultimately depend on whether it can function independently of government influence. Journalists need to trust that the board will serve as a legitimate platform to uphold ethical standards, not as an extension of government control.
As Dr. Mkoko rightly pointed out, the board’s ability to effect meaningful change is directly linked to its autonomy. If the board becomes yet another instrument of state power, the prospects for press freedom in Tanzania will be further dimmed.
As the dust settles on the board’s launch, the true test will be its ability to navigate the political terrain. Can it help elevate the standard of journalism without succumbing to government pressure? Or will it become yet another example of a government tool that promotes conformity at the expense of truth?
For now, the reality is a complicated one. Journalists in Tanzania continue to operate in a climate of fear, where self-censorship has become an unfortunate survival mechanism. Many feel they are caught between their professional duty to report the truth and the risks associated with speaking out against the powers that be.
The introduction of the Journalists Accreditation Board may indeed provide some hope for a more professionalised media. But until the broader issues of press freedom, economic hardship, and political interference are addressed, it will remain uncertain whether this initiative will truly change the status quo.
In the words of Gerson Msigwa, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Arts, and Sports, “The media is a critical pillar in the nation’s development.” Whether the Journalists Accreditation Board strengthens this pillar or weakens it remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the board’s success is inextricably linked to the freedom journalists have to do their work without fear or favour. The clock is ticking.