The media in Tanzania is at a crossroads. As the 2025 elections approach, the role of journalism in shaping public discourse and holding power to account has never been more critical. Yet, behind the headlines, a deeper struggle unfolds—one shaped by media ownership, financial instability, political influence, and digital disruption. Through my work with Jamii Media, engaging with over 53 media houses, I’ve witnessed firsthand how these forces shape what Tanzanians see, hear, and believe. This series, Media Chronicles, will take a deep dive into the realities of Tanzanian journalism, unpacking who owns the media, the impact of digital transformation, the challenges of financial sustainability, the gender gap in journalism, and the rise of misinformation in an election year.
The Challenge at Hand
The landscape of private media ownership in Tanzania presents a complex and multifaceted challenge. Far from being neutral arbiters of public discourse, many private media entities are tethered to commercial or political interests, diluting their commitment to the public good.
Much of Tanzania’s privately owned media functions as attachments to larger conglomerates, where the media business is a subsidiary to the parent company’s primary ventures. This ancillary role often positions media outlets as tools to advance broader corporate or political objectives rather than prioritizing independent journalism or the needs of the public.
For example, Azam Media is a prominent player in the PayTV ecosystem. While it encompasses numerous television and radio stations, its principal interests lie in sectors such as fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) and transportation. Similarly, IPP Media, the largest media group in Tanzania, operates an expansive network of television, radio, and print platforms. However, its core identity is manufacturing, with its media arms serving as strategic tools to bolster the overarching business empire.
At the district level, the dynamics shift but remain similarly entrenched in vested interests. Here, radio emerges as the dominant medium, often owned by businessmen, aspiring politicians, or sitting officials. These outlets frequently maintain close ties to the ruling party or government. This relationship manifests through an unstated yet pervasive alignment of political interests within their ownership structures.
For instance, Sahara Communications, a conglomerate managing multiple media outlets, exemplifies the fusion of media and politics. Owned by a politician who was recently a government minister and regional chairman of the ruling party, CCM, its operations underscore the enduring nexus between media ownership and political influence. Similarly, the Uhuru Media Group, encompassing Uhuru Radio, Magic FM, Classic FM, and Channel Ten TV, is owned by CCM, Tanzania’s dominant ruling party.
Other district-level media adopt alternative ownership models involving cooperatives (AMCOS), special interest groups, or NGOs. However, these outlets often grapple with a different form of dependency—reliance on donor funding to remain operational. This financial vulnerability compromises their potential for independence, limiting their ability to serve as robust, impartial voices within the media ecosystem.
Newspapers, in contrast, exhibit a more nuanced ownership structure. Some outlets, such as Raia Mwema, are owned and operated by journalists. Founded to foster independent and investigative journalism, Raia Mwema represents a commendable effort to carve out a space for unbiased reporting. Nevertheless, such ventures face formidable financial pressures, with sustainability often proving their greatest challenge.
Religious and State-Owned Media
Private or state-owned entities do not solely dominate the media landscape in Tanzania; religious institutions also play a significant role as media proprietors. These outlets, established primarily to propagate religious messages and social values, contribute to the diversity of voices available to the public. However, their participation in disseminating current news and pressing public issues remains limited, often constrained by their core mission.
On the other hand, state-owned media are uniquely positioned to serve public interests but are paradoxically hampered by structural inefficiencies. Bureaucratic inertia and political interference undermine their ability to act as impartial purveyors of information. Instead, they often become tools for advancing the ruling government’s agenda, deviating from their fundamental purpose of fostering informed public discourse.
This entanglement of ownership and influence has left a significant mark on the professionalism and sustainability of the media sector. Many journalists view the profession as temporary rather than lifelong, driven away by poor remuneration and limited career development opportunities. Consequently, the industry struggles to retain skilled reporters and editors, hindering investment in talent and infrastructure.
This cycle of underinvestment leads to minimal innovation, outdated technology, and weakened journalistic standards, further exacerbating traditional media’s challenges. In response, the rise of online media has offered a glimmer of hope. Many journalists have taken ownership of their work, establishing independent digital platforms. Unlike conglomerates with competing interests, these journalist-driven outlets often exhibit a more genuine commitment to the profession, potentially paving the way for more authentic and impactful journalism.
How Did We Get Here?
A complex interplay of historical, political, and economic factors shapes Tanzania’s current media landscape. For decades, media ownership has been influenced by government policies designed to control the flow of information. State-owned media were traditionally tasked with disseminating the government’s narrative, while stringent regulations to prevent foreign ownership and control stymied private sector growth.
As detailed in Martin Sturmer’s 1998 book The Media History of Tanzania, the country’s media evolution can be categorized into four distinct phases:
- The German Colonial Era: Media served the communication needs of the German administration, with missionaries publishing papers for religious purposes.
- The British Colonial Era: Media was a propaganda tool for the British regime.
- The Nationalist Phase: Media platforms emerged to advocate for self-governance and human rights.
- The Post-Colonial Socialist Phase: The Tanzanian government sought to “Tanzanianize” the media to curb opposition and promote socialist ideals.
In this historical context, the practice of media ownership by wealthy business people and politicians flourished. Such proprietors often established outlets to advance their political or commercial agendas rather than prioritizing journalistic excellence or public enlightenment. This trend has resulted in media platforms with biased editorial stances, limiting the capacity of journalism to hold power to account.
Tanzania’s media ownership landscape highlights the tension between financial imperatives and journalistic independence. As conglomerates and political entities wield outsized influence, the quest for impartiality and public service remains an uphill battle. Yet, the emergence of journalist-led initiatives like Raia Mwema signals a beacon of hope, reminding us that independent journalism can still thrive, even amid adversity.
A Vision for Progress
The way out of these challenges involves extensive reforms within the media landscape in Tanzania, including:
- a) Special groups, including cooperatives, women’s groups, and environmental organisations, must be actively encouraged to own media. These groups should ensure a more representative public debate not only as contributors but also as owners through strategic partnerships, investments in media ventures, or share purchases in media ownership structures. This will ensure diversified media narratives and strong, broadened representation across sectors.
- b) Sustainable media operations are heavily dependent on financial stability. Large conglomerates like IPP Media and Azam have proved the advantage of heavy financial muscles. To take this further, mergers and acquisitions should be encouraged to attract investment and innovation. The so-called media-based conglomerates with journalism as their core business should be encouraged in this regard. These media-focused conglomerates can sustain themselves in the long run.
- c) Encouraging journalists to establish and own online media is important as digital platforms continue to evolve. Digital platforms have indeed proved to be a cheap way of sustaining autonomous media spaces, giving a wider representation. Growth in online media will amplify these diverse voices and fill gaps left by mainstream outlets, paving the way for greater inclusivity in the media landscape.
- d) The media industry must offer competitive remuneration and well-charted career development paths to retain talent and provide better-quality journalism. For this, journalists must consider the media a satisfying long-term career option. Once better pay packages and growth opportunities are available, more quality talent will join, and the existing talent will be motivated to continue, reducing reliance on PR-driven content pieces and developing more credible journalism.
At Jamii Media, we have examined these challenges firsthand, studying the state of media in Tanzania and designing data-driven interventions to foster a more resilient, independent, and professional press. The path forward requires bold reforms—from diversifying media ownership to ensuring financial sustainability, supporting journalist-led platforms, and investing in talent and technology. By addressing ownership biases, strengthening independent journalism, and creating viable business models, Tanzania’s media can reclaim its role as a pillar of democracy and public accountability. The future of journalism in Tanzania depends on the choices we make today.
This is just the beginning. The next article in the Media Chronicles series will explore how the lack of a clear media agenda has weakened public discourse and diluted journalism’s impact in Tanzania. Stay tuned.