Policy Brief - Need for Review of the Information and Broadcasting Policy, 2003

The Media and Broadcasting Policy of 2003 was developed at a time when Tanzania’s media environment was predominantly characterized by traditional print and broadcast media. Since then, the sector has undergone substantial transformation due to the expansion of the internet, social media, online journalism, digital broadcasting and other forms of technology-enabled information dissemination. The policy has therefore become outdated in several respects. It does not sufficiently respond to the contemporary digital media environment, does not adequately address emerging challenges affecting journalists and media institutions, and does not reflect the current legal and regulatory framework.For example, the 2003 Policy refers to the Newspaper Act of 1976, which was subsequently repealed by the Media Services Act, 2016. The policy also fails to adequately incorporate important developments such as the Access to Information Act, 2016, subsequent broadcasting and internet-content regulations, and relevant international and regional human rights standards. The transformation of the media sector is also demonstrated by the rapid growth of internet and social media use in Tanzania. According to the Media Council of Tanzania’s State of the Media Report 2022–2023, Tanzania had approximately 21 million internet users by early 2023, representing an internet penetration rate of 31.6 percent, while approximately 4.90 million people were using social media. These developments demonstrate the need for a policy framework that is responsive to technological change, protects fundamental rights and provides an enabling environment for a professional, independent and sustainable media sector.