A Research Report Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements of Award of Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Degree of Mzumbe University
The research work examines the Tanzania media laws, on challenges towards private press freedom in mainland Tanzania, with the view of determining the impacts of the media laws toward the media freedom in Tanzania, by focusing on private press.
The main problems examined in this research work were whether the laws governing Media
Are threat to freedom of press, whether the power vested to the minister of information by the
Media service Act limit the press freedom, whether restriction of private press on publishment of public issues of national importance affect press freedom in Tanzania,
whether the establishment of the Tanzania communication Regulatory Authority, which
is argued to be independent encourage freedom of mass media. According to the findings
of the press or media in Tanzania. But focusing on the research topic. It clearly that the
law limit and control too much the right of private press in dissemination of information
these laws are playing the role of protecting the image of the government from being
affected by using the umbrella of protection of the national security
The main objectives of the research work, were to examine the media laws as the tool
used by the ones who are in power, to undermine the constitutional rights. including the
right to freedom of expression, right to information. And limitation introduced by the
media laws on the right to disseminate information. Also, the laws establish offences and
punishment that threat the freedom of journalist in doing their job
The study employed interviews method of data collection, where both structured and
unstructured interview were used. To gather primary data and secondary data, was
acquired through reviewing books, articles, papers reports and Dissertations. Those
methods help the researcher to get reliable and accurate data. The major finding by the
researcher is that the laws contain draconian provisions which are likely to be used by the
government to narrow the media freedom.
The researcher recommends amendment of the most problematic provisions of the law, to ensure freedom of press and media to stakeholders.