This archive report was first published on 29 June 2021.
June 29, 2021
Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan has pledged to support the country's media, committing to strengthen freedom of speech and enhance press freedom.
Speaking during a joint meeting with editors and senior journalists in Dar es Salaam, President Samia emphasized her administration's readiness to engage in dialogue with the media to create a conducive working environment for journalists.
Deodatus Balile, the Chairman of Tanzania Editors Forum (TEF), had requested presidential intervention over laws and regulations hostile to the media, citing financial constraints partly caused by government actions such as advertising restrictions.
President Samia, however, stated that the media cannot receive a government budget allocation as it is not provided for in the constitution, urging them to source advertisements from private entities instead.
The journalists also informed the president that despite her directive to look into the ban on media houses, the bans have not been lifted.
