Habari Hub
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- Oct 28, 2015
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By Habari Hub Journalist, July 8, 2025
In an effort to improve the working environment for journalists and protect freedom of the press, a high-level consultative meeting was held today at the TAMWA-Z office in Tunguu, bringing together members of the Zanzibar Media Coordination Committee (ZAMECO) and representatives from the House of Representatives. The discussion centered on the urgent need to amend Zanzibar’s outdated media laws, especially in the lead-up to the 2025 general elections.
Opening the meeting, Dr. Mzuri Issa, Director of TAMWA-Z, did not mince words. She emphasized that the current legal framework is no longer fit for purpose and called for unified action to bring about meaningful reforms.
“We want to see a more enabling environment for journalists in Zanzibar,” she said. “Unfortunately, the media laws remain unchanged. This is not something one organization can fix it requires collective effort.”
One of the most pressing concerns raised was the safety of journalists, particularly during election periods. There is currently no legal provision in Zanzibar’s laws that guarantees their protection during such volatile times.
Abdallah Mfaume, a Zanzibar Media Committee ZAMECO member and Chairperson of the Zanzibar Press Club, stressed the need to retire the colonial-era laws still governing media operations.
“These are old laws that no longer serve the interests of journalists or the public,” he said. “If we want a professional and free press, we must work together to enact laws that recognize the current media landscape.”
Adding a perspective from within government, Professor Omar Fakih, MP for Mtambwe, acknowledged the growing frustration from stakeholders and said he had personally tried to move the process forward.
“The government has never denied that media law reforms are necessary,” he explained. “In fact, I took it upon myself to request that the media bill be brought before the House. But bureaucratic hurdles have slowed things down.”
The issue of delays was also addressed by Machano Othman, MP for Mfenesini, who defended the role of legislators but urged patience and unity among media stakeholders.
“According to our constitution, we as members of the House have the right to speak on all matters affecting our nation,” he said. “Yes, we expected the media bill to be tabled already, but we must stay united and avoid division otherwise we’ll lose the momentum.”
Echoing this sense of responsibility, Dr. Mohamed Suleiman, another representative from Mtambwe, reiterated the lawmakers’ obligation to advocate for fair laws.
“We must keep talking about the media bill,” he said. “This is not just about journalists it’s about protecting the public’s right to information. We must keep advising the government to move on this.”
From a civil society angle, Rashid Omar, a long-time member of ZAMECO, expressed concern about the stalled progress.
“It has been years since we first demanded changes to these laws,” he noted. “And here we are, still waiting. With another election around the corner, journalists will again face challenges due to weak legal protections.”
Legal voices also joined the conversation. Shadida Omar, a lawyer with the Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC), called for more strategic advocacy and collective safety planning.
“It’s important we continue working together to strengthen this bill,” she said. “We must also ensure that journalists are protected, particularly during high-risk times like elections.”
On the educational front, Hawra Shamte, Chairperson of the Zanzibar Development Journalists Association and a media trainer, emphasized the ongoing work in building legal literacy among journalists.
“We’ve been conducting training on media rights, election coverage, and legal awareness,” she said. “These efforts are crucial, but they need to be supported by solid legislation.”
Bringing the discussion to a close, Shifaa Said, a member of ZAMECO’s Technical Committee, praised the cooperation between the media community and lawmakers.
“The strength of this partnership is what gives us hope,” she said. “This is no longer a ZAMECO issue media law reform is a shared responsibility, and we must all carry it forward.”
In an effort to improve the working environment for journalists and protect freedom of the press, a high-level consultative meeting was held today at the TAMWA-Z office in Tunguu, bringing together members of the Zanzibar Media Coordination Committee (ZAMECO) and representatives from the House of Representatives. The discussion centered on the urgent need to amend Zanzibar’s outdated media laws, especially in the lead-up to the 2025 general elections.
Opening the meeting, Dr. Mzuri Issa, Director of TAMWA-Z, did not mince words. She emphasized that the current legal framework is no longer fit for purpose and called for unified action to bring about meaningful reforms.
“We want to see a more enabling environment for journalists in Zanzibar,” she said. “Unfortunately, the media laws remain unchanged. This is not something one organization can fix it requires collective effort.”
One of the most pressing concerns raised was the safety of journalists, particularly during election periods. There is currently no legal provision in Zanzibar’s laws that guarantees their protection during such volatile times.
Abdallah Mfaume, a Zanzibar Media Committee ZAMECO member and Chairperson of the Zanzibar Press Club, stressed the need to retire the colonial-era laws still governing media operations.
“These are old laws that no longer serve the interests of journalists or the public,” he said. “If we want a professional and free press, we must work together to enact laws that recognize the current media landscape.”
Adding a perspective from within government, Professor Omar Fakih, MP for Mtambwe, acknowledged the growing frustration from stakeholders and said he had personally tried to move the process forward.
“The government has never denied that media law reforms are necessary,” he explained. “In fact, I took it upon myself to request that the media bill be brought before the House. But bureaucratic hurdles have slowed things down.”
The issue of delays was also addressed by Machano Othman, MP for Mfenesini, who defended the role of legislators but urged patience and unity among media stakeholders.
“According to our constitution, we as members of the House have the right to speak on all matters affecting our nation,” he said. “Yes, we expected the media bill to be tabled already, but we must stay united and avoid division otherwise we’ll lose the momentum.”
Echoing this sense of responsibility, Dr. Mohamed Suleiman, another representative from Mtambwe, reiterated the lawmakers’ obligation to advocate for fair laws.
“We must keep talking about the media bill,” he said. “This is not just about journalists it’s about protecting the public’s right to information. We must keep advising the government to move on this.”
From a civil society angle, Rashid Omar, a long-time member of ZAMECO, expressed concern about the stalled progress.
“It has been years since we first demanded changes to these laws,” he noted. “And here we are, still waiting. With another election around the corner, journalists will again face challenges due to weak legal protections.”
Legal voices also joined the conversation. Shadida Omar, a lawyer with the Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC), called for more strategic advocacy and collective safety planning.
“It’s important we continue working together to strengthen this bill,” she said. “We must also ensure that journalists are protected, particularly during high-risk times like elections.”
On the educational front, Hawra Shamte, Chairperson of the Zanzibar Development Journalists Association and a media trainer, emphasized the ongoing work in building legal literacy among journalists.
“We’ve been conducting training on media rights, election coverage, and legal awareness,” she said. “These efforts are crucial, but they need to be supported by solid legislation.”
Bringing the discussion to a close, Shifaa Said, a member of ZAMECO’s Technical Committee, praised the cooperation between the media community and lawmakers.
“The strength of this partnership is what gives us hope,” she said. “This is no longer a ZAMECO issue media law reform is a shared responsibility, and we must all carry it forward.”
