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SLOW PACE FOR PRESS FREEDOM IN ZANZIBAR

While Tanzanian journalists enjoy a relatively vibrant and free press, those who live in Zanzibar - a semi-autonomous island off the mainland coast - are not so fortunate, reports RAP21 (the African Press Network for the 21st Century). Most newspapers are state-owned and steer clear of criticising the government. Those that do, pay a high price.

On the surface, Zanzibar appears to possess the hallmarks of a free press, reports RAP 21. There is a diversity of media outlets, including 13 new publications that have been licensed in the past few months, including four private newspapers - "Zanzibar Wiki Hii", "Marhaba", "ZIFF" and "Fahari Zanzibar". "Private media is fulfilling its role and the press freedom situation is very calm," asserts Ali J. Shamhuna, the Minister of State for Zanzibar.

But Assah Mwambene, a reporter for the state-owned "Daily News", says most newspapers, judging from the content, are not independent. "'Zanzibar Wiki Hii', for example, doesn't write critical articles about the government." Most newspapers act as mouthpieces for the government, says Mwambene. "There is very little room for criticism. Essentially there is no independent reporting on the government."

Newspapers that dare to criticise the government are penalised. In 2003, "Dira", a private newspaper associated with the opposition, was closed by the government for allegedly "violating professional ethics" and "fomenting hatred between the government and its people." It had published two articles published in January 2003 which accused President Amani Karume's children of using their father's influence to purchase state-owned companies. Earlier this year, "Dira's" application for a new licence was rejected.

Gideon Shoo, who is managing a media monitoring project for Tanzania's 2005 elections, says the polarisation of Zanzibar's electorate makes it difficult for a free and fair press to function. Very few media outlets provide information that is impartial.

Despite the situation, however, Mwambene is optimistic, pointing out that the Zanzibar government is in talks over a new media policy and that a soon-to-be passed Freedom of Information Act will widen the scope for press freedom.

To read the full story on RAP21's website, visit: http://www.rap21.org/article18601.html

For more information on press freedom in Zanzibar and Tanzania, see:

- World Association of Newspapers: http://www.wan-press.org
- IFEX: http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/79/
- Media Institute of Southern Africa: http://www.misa.org/sothisisdemocracy/tanzania/tanzania.html
- Human Rights Watch: http://www.hrw.org/doc?t=africa&c=tanzan
- International Press Institute: http://www.freemedia.at/wpfr/Africa/tanzania.htm
- BBC Profile of Zanzibar: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/country_profiles/3850393.stm#media