Media Council of Tanzania

Project completed

The main goal of MCT’s program 2012-2015 remains the same: To promote freedom of expression and freedom of the media and to achieve quality in media by promoting standards, accountability, social responsibility and skills development. The objectives also remain as: (1) To enable media to perform their duties freely and effectively and the public to enjoy freedom of expression and access to information; (2) To foster media quality and ensure highest standards so that media effectively fulfils its roles; (3) To establish and promote self regulation in the media so as to improve accountability and build public trust; (4) To enhance ethical practice thus ensuring media efficacy and credibility; (5) To empower media industry and stakeholders to make informed decisions; (6) To provide strategic leadership ensuring institutional capacity development and effective governance for the realization of MCT objectives.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Tanzania
Governance
Human rights
Rule of Law - Democracy - Human rights
Information and communication technology (ICT)
Human rights (incl. Women's rights)
01.12.2011 - 31.12.2015
CHF 3'130'000
Background

The Constitution of Tanzania guarantees freedom of expression. However, there are various drawbacks in the implementation of national laws that set the standard for freedom of expression, access to information and media regulation. Media stakeholders and the public are frequently denied access and right to information and Government is empowered to ban or suspend any newspaper arbitrarily. Despite intense media advocacy there have been hardly any changes at the legislation front. Overall rural and poor citizens, particularly women, remain excluded from access to media and are obstructed from having their voices heard.

Objectives

To expand the perimeters of freedom of expression and freedom of the media and ensure the highest professional standards and accountability so that Tanzanian media are able to contribute effectively to development and democratic processes.

Target groups

Media outlets, journalists, government, parliament and citizens (emphasis on equal information access for all)

Medium-term outcomes
  • Enabling environment for freedom of expression and of the media assured.
  • Media quality and standards enhanced & effective.
  • Ethical practice & media credibility enhanced.
  • Media and stakeholders empowered through access to critical knowledge and knowledge used to make informed decisions.
Results

Results from previous phases:  

  • Increased demand for good governance as result of improved investigative journalism.
  • MCT headed Coalitions on the Right to Information recognized by the Minister of Information.
  • Increased compliance of i) MCT’s arbitration decision and ii) with Media Code of Ethics.
  • Media Gender Code of Ethics widely introduced.
  • Reinvigorated Tanzania Editors Forum and strengthened Union of Tanzania Press Clubs.
  • Standardised diploma level journalisms for the country introduced.


Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Credit area Development cooperation
Project partners Contract partner
International or foreign NGO


Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF   3'130'000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF   3'094'890
Project phases

Phase 2 01.12.2011 - 31.12.2015   (Completed)