The Government has reported a major milestone in its ongoing digital reforms after successfully accrediting 3,357 journalists through the TAI HABARI digital system within less than one year, a development that is strengthening professionalism, accountability and efficiency in Tanzania’s media sector.
The achievement marks a significant step in the modernization of media regulation, as the country continues to shift from manual processes to digital systems aimed at improving service delivery, transparency and compliance in public institutions.
Presenting the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports budget estimates for the 2026/2027 financial year in Parliament in Dodoma, the Minister, Paul Christian Makonda, said the system has transformed the way journalist accreditation is handled in the country.
He said that between July 2025 and April 2026, the Journalists Accreditation Board (JAB) received and processed 4,139 applications through the TAI HABARI platform. Out of these, 3,357 journalists successfully met the required legal and professional standards under the Media Services Act, Cap. 229, and were officially accredited.
According to the ministry, the digital system has improved efficiency by reducing paperwork, speeding up verification processes, and ensuring accurate records of journalists across the country. It has also strengthened oversight and accountability within the profession.
In addition to accreditation, the Journalists Accreditation Board handled 14 cases involving breaches of professional ethics.
These cases, according to the government, reflect increased enforcement of ethical standards as the media sector continues to grow and become more structured.
The government has also developed a special legal guideline designed to support experienced journalists who were previously affected by accreditation requirements.
The guideline provides a clear pathway for veteran journalists to re-enter the formal system based on their experience, competence and adherence to professional ethics.
Minister Makonda explained that the guideline introduces a structured evaluation process that assesses experience, professionalism and ethical conduct, allowing seasoned journalists to be recognised under the official regulatory framework.
He said the Media Services Act, Cap. 229, was established to strengthen the journalism profession by creating a clear institutional and legal framework for regulating the media industry while promoting responsible reporting and protecting public interest.
The introduction of the TAI HABARI system is part of broader government efforts to digitise public services, reduce bureaucracy and improve efficiency in regulatory institutions.
Through this system, journalist registration and verification can now be done faster, more transparently and with improved accuracy.
Media stakeholders have welcomed the reforms, noting that the system is helping to create a reliable national database of accredited journalists, improving coordination between regulators and media practitioners, and supporting long-term planning for the sector.
The government has reaffirmed its commitment to further improving the system to ensure it remains inclusive, efficient and responsive to the needs of all media practitioners in the country.
With thousands of journalists now formally recognised through the digital platform, TAI HABARI is increasingly being seen as a key tool in strengthening professionalism and credibility within Tanzania’s media industry while supporting the country’s wider digital transformation agenda.
