How Tanzanian Foreign Media Ownership Restriction Policies Impact Citizen’s Freedom of Speech

In Tanzania, foreign investment in the media sector is severely limited. According to section 4(1)(b) of the Media Services Regulation, 2017, foreign investors can only own less than 50 per cent of the print media companies. These regulatory constraints and government restrictions affect the economic development of the nation.

Furthermore, the regulation has significant negative human rights implications as it stifles the diversity of voices within the media industry, violating citizens’ freedom of speech.  The Tanzanian government should allow unrestricted ownership and investment in the media industry. The government should promote public-private partnerships and establish media policies that adhere to the East African Community’s (EAC) competition principles.

To read more, check the full article on The Chanzo Tanzania.

Photo by Joao Cruz via Unsplash.

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