Tanzania’s Journalists Accreditation Board (JAB) has announced plans to crack down on journalists working without official accreditation, a move that has renewed concerns about media freedom in the country.
The board, which was launched in March last year, was created after amendments to the Media Services Act in 2024. The law requires journalists to be licensed in order to write, film, edit or produce content for publication, and gives authorities the power to suspend media outlets that violate its provisions.
This week, the JAB said it had identified individuals practising journalism without meeting the legal requirements, particularly after the conclusion of the general election, and warned that action would be taken against them.
Acting JAB Director Patrick Kipangula said the board operates as an independent statutory body tasked with professionalising the journalism sector. He said its establishment was meant to address long-standing problems, including the absence of clear professional standards, the presence of unqualified practitioners and declining public trust in media content.
Kipangula said the law is clear that anyone practising journalism in Tanzania without accreditation is committing an offence. He added that almost 4 000 journalists have already registered with the board and are legally permitted to work, while those operating without accreditation have been urged to comply with the law.
He noted that transitional provisions in the Media Services Act allow a five-year grace period for journalists who were already practising but do not meet minimum academic qualifications, giving them time to upgrade their skills.
The board says its work has contributed to improved ethical standards in journalism, including greater awareness of the journalists’ code of ethics.
Critics, however, argue that the accreditation system gives regulators excessive control over the media. William Burt, director of media monitoring organisation Moxi Africa, said licensing journalists restricts freedom of expression and cannot be justified as a way to improve journalistic quality. He warned that the system risks being used to limit who is allowed to report and share information, particularly when coverage is critical of the authorities.
–ChannelAfrica–
