A Tanzania media scholar has warned that press freedom is under threat in the country due to the media ownership structure that is dominated and influenced by government and public officials who do not want to be exposed.

“Press freedom in Tanzania is in a dilemma. Proprietors own media houses but the content is determined by the government. Any media house that acts contrary to the government is either closed or the editor-in-chief is detained.” Doto Paul, a Lecturer at the University of Sargodha, revealed during a telephone interview.

Mr. Doto faulted the argument that Tanzania has high level of press freedom because of the numerous media outlets operating in the country. He said press freedom cannot be measured quantitatively basing on the number of media houses but instead should be based on the overall media environment and type of content carried by the media.

Doto said that ownership affects the way journalists do their work through, for instance paying low salaries that demoralize media workers. He noted that media owners, especially commercial media pay much allegiance to the advertisers than to journalism as a career.

“Journalists are at times summoned by the owners after writing about advertisers and this undermines journalism as a profession,” he noted.  

Tanzania has a multitude of media houses, including newspapers, radio and television stations and online platforms. The country has over 50 radio stations, 14 Television stations and several newspapers, owned by different entities including the state, private individuals, religious and community groups.