Civil society groups are calling on the Tanzanian government to guarantee open and secure internet access, reform restrictive media laws, and engage with independent digital platforms to ensure a credible general election on 29 October 2025.
The recommendations come in a new advocacy brief by Tech & Media Convergency (TMC) and the Internet Governance Tanzania Working Group (IGTWG), which warns that government control over online spaces is intensifying ahead of the vote.
The brief advises urgent legal reforms to align national laws with regional and international human rights obligations, including revising the Cybercrime Act (2015), Media Services Act (2016), and the Electronic and Postal Communications (Online Content) Regulations (2020).
It also calls for judicial oversight on any internet restrictions, proactive engagement with civil society, and commitments to maintain an open digital space during elections.
“A free, open, and secure digital space is a non-negotiable prerequisite for a credible, participatory, and peaceful 2025 General Election,” the report states.
The analysis details systematic online censorship, platform throttling, and punitive regulatory actions that, according to experts, have created an environment of digital repression.
Since May 2025, X (formerly Twitter) has been blocked nationwide, while JamiiForums, a prominent local discussion platform, faced a 90-day suspension.
“You don’t shut down the entire platform… it’s like locking down a shopping mall because of one store,” said JamiiForums founder Maxence Melo, warning that such measures stifle public debate and innovation.
Technical disruptions affecting YouTube and other social media platforms have created a “chilling effect,” the brief notes, forcing citizens, journalists, and activists to self-censor.
“This environment forces individuals and organizations into a state of precautionary self-censorship… The result is a public sphere that is superficially calm but substantively hollow,” the report states.
High-profile media personalities have also faced professional risks. Cartoonist Masoud Kipanya and broadcaster Roland Malaba were suspended or removed from air for allegedly violating media regulations, demonstrating the personal consequences of dissent.
The brief reveals that online critics have experienced account takeovers and hacking, further discouraging engagement.
Legal frameworks empower such actions. The Cybercrime Act, Media Services Act, and Online Content Regulations grant regulators broad discretion to restrict content.
The brief points out that vague definitions of “misleading” content and licensing requirements allow authorities, particularly the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), to act with minimal accountability.
The report highlights Tanzania’s defiance of regional judicial rulings.
In 2019, the East African Court of Justice found parts of the Media Services Act inconsistent with human rights principles under the East African Treaty.
Yet, the government has made only minor amendments, leaving restrictive measures largely intact.
“Despite this binding judgment, Tanzania continues to enforce these measures, effectively disregarding its obligations,” the brief states.
Digital repression is linked directly to electoral integrity. By limiting access to independent platforms and curbing online debate, authorities risk fostering information vacuums filled with state-sponsored narratives, reducing voter trust and increasing political apathy.
Historical precedent reinforces the concern: during the 2020 elections, widespread internet disruptions contributed to public distrust and lowered turnout to 50.7%, down from over 65% in 2015.
Youth participation is particularly threatened. The brief notes that young Tanzanians “rely heavily on social media for engagement,” and disruptions to platforms such as X, WhatsApp, and YouTube effectively disenfranchise this demographic.
The brief warns that alienating the youth could have long-term implications for democratic participation in Tanzania.
Media ownership concentration compounds the issue. Politically connected actors dominate major outlets, enabling pro-government narratives while systematically marginalizing independent voices.
The dual strategy of digital repression and captured media reinforces state messaging, limiting the diversity of perspectives available to citizens.
Regionally, Tanzania’s approach contrasts sharply with neighbors like Kenya, which maintained open internet access during its 2022 elections, allowing civil society to monitor processes and counter misinformation.
In Tanzania, repeated use of throttling and platform blocking has drawn international attention as an example of “digital authoritarianism,” where technology is used to curtail transparency and civic engagement.
The TMC-IGTWG brief says that without immediate reforms and guarantees for open digital participation, the 2025 election risks being conducted in an environment dominated by state control rather than informed citizen engagement.
“Preserving the integrity of the digital space is critical to ensuring Tanzanians can exercise their constitutional rights freely and confidently,” the report emphasizes.
As Tanzania prepares to vote, the advocacy brief underscores the urgent need for government action to ensure that the nation’s online spaces support—not stifle—democracy.