TAARIFA KWA VYOMBO VYA HABARI
TAREHE: 21/1/2026
MASHIRIKA YA HABARI NA HAKI ZA BINADAMU, YACHAMBUA KWA KINA
MAADILI, UHURU NA UWAJIBIKAJI KWA VYOMBO VYA HABARI 2025.
Mashirika yanayoshughulika na habari, haki za binadamu na waandishi wabobevu
Zanzibar inatoa ripoti ya ufuatiliaji kuhusu masuala ya vyombo vya habari na kufanya
uchambuzi wa kina kuhusu kada ya habari na utendaji wa waandishi wa habari katika
kipindi cha mwaka 2025 hususan katika kuangalia wajibu wa waandishi wa habari,
maadili, uhuru wa habari pamoja na mafanikio na changamoto.
Kwa mujibu wa ripoti ya Mashirika hayo, mafanikio kadhaa yamepatikana katika sekta ya
habari, hususan kuimarika kwa uwezo wa waandishi wa habari kupitia mafunzo
mbalimbali katika kipindi cha uchaguzi, pamoja na uchambuzi wa habari zilizoripotiwa.
Hata hivyo, uchambuzi huo umeonesha kuwepo kwa ukiukwaji wa maadili ya uandishi wa
habari, ikiwemo upendeleo wa vyanzo vya habari kwa kujikita zaidi katika kauli za viongozi
wa kisiasa na kushindwa kutoa nafasi sawa kwa makundi mengine ya kijamii. Aidha,
baadhi ya taarifa zilikosa uwiano na haki kwa kutowasilisha pande zote za hoja, pamoja
na kushindwa kuzingatia maslahi ya umma kwa kupuuza changamoto na sauti za makundi
yaliyo pembezoni, jambo linalokiuka misingi ya uandishi wa habari wa kimaadili na haki
za kijamii
“Habari za viongozi zimekuwa zikitolewa zaidi huku makundi ya pembezoni ikiwemo
habari za wanawake, vijana, wazee na habari za vijijini kutopewa nafasi inayostahiki”
ripoti inaeleza.
Ingawa kumekuwa na vyombo mbali mbali vya habari hususan vyombo vya mitandaoni
(online media) ikiwa ni hatua muhimu ya kukuza na kuimarisha vyombo vya habari lakini
habari zilijikita zaidi katika matukio na hivyo kutokuwepo kwa habari za uchunguzi na
uchambuzi.
Ripoti hiyo, inayohusisha mwaka 2025, inaeleza kuwa mazingira ya kazi kwa waandishi
wa habari haikuwa nzuri ikijumuisha vitisho, unyanyasaji, utekelezaji wa sheria kwaupendeleo, kunyimwa taarifa, na ufuatiliaji mkali wa vyumba vya habari na majukwaa ya
mtandaoni. Kwa mujibu wa Mashirika hayo, hali hii ilidhoofisha uwazi katika kuripoti
habari za uchaguzi, imani ya umma, na ushiriki wa wananchi katika mchakato wa
kidemokrasia.
Katika ufuatiliaji wake wa kabla, wakati na baada ya uchaguzi, Mashirika yalibaini pia
baadhi ya mifano mizuri, ikiwemo vipindi vya redio vinavyohamasisha ushiriki wa
wananchi kupaza sauti zao kueleza changamoto zinazowakabili katika maisha yao ya kila
siku na kuwashirikisha watoa maamuzi kueleza utatuzi wa changamoto hizo, mfano
kipindi cha “Pambazuko” kutoka ZBC redio kinachorushwa kuanzia saa 12:00 asubuhi
hadi 4:00 asubuhi. Hata hivyo, mafanikio hayo yalifunikwa na ukiukwaji wa maadili ya
habari pamoja na kukosekana kwa umahiri na uhuru wa habari.
Ripoti inaeleza kuwa waandishi wa habari walikumbana na manyanyaso ikiwemo
kunyang’anywa vifaa vya kazi, kuitwa na mamlaka za serikali, kutishiwa kufungiwa au
kusimamishwa, pamoja na kulazimishwa kufuta maudhui waliyoripoti, hasa
waliposhughulikia masuala ya uchaguzi, utawala bora na uwajibikaji. Vyombo vya habari
vya mtandaoni vililengwa zaidi kupitia barua za onyo, vitisho vya kunyang’anywa leseni
na maagizo ya kuondoa maudhui.
“Kwa mfano mwandishi wa habari wa Mawio TV kulazimishwa kuondoa taarifa mtandaoni
iliyobeba malalamiko ya wanawake kuhusu haki, uwazi na uwajibikaji katika uteuzi wa
viti maalum kupitia Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM). Vilevile kwa upande wa Unguja, Chum
Online Media ilikumbwa na vitisho baada ya kuchapisha maoni ya wananchi wakidai haki
kabla ya amani katika kuelekea uchaguzi, huku Zanzibar Yetu Online TV ikijumuishwa
kwenye orodha ya vyombo vya habari vya mtandaoni ambavyo havijasajili leseni wala
kulipa ada na kuwekwa katika hatari ya kufungiwa ambapo awali chombo hicho
kilishafanya malipo hayo”, Ripoti hiyo inafafanua zaidi.
Ripoti pia inaonesha changamoto za kimuundo zinazotokana na mfumo wa sheria na sera
za habari Zanzibar. Sheria nyingi za habari ni za zamani ikiwemo Sheria ya Wakala wa
Habari, Magazeti na Vitabu ya mwaka 1988 iliyofanyiwa marekebisho mwaka 1997
pamoja na Sheria ya Tume ya Utangazaji Zanzibar ya mwaka 1997 iliyofanyiwa
marekebisho mwaka 2010 zinatoa mamlaka makubwa kwa viongozi wa serikali pamoja
na kuingilia shughuli za vyombo vya habari. Ingawa Katiba ya Zanzibar inalinda uhuru wa
kujieleza lakini utekelezaji wake hauendani kikamilifu na viwango vya kimataifa na
kikanda vya haki za binadamu, hali inayoruhusu matumizi mabaya ya mamlaka.
Katika kipindi cha uchaguzi, baadhi ya waandishi wa habari na asasi za kiraia walizuiwa
kuvifikia vituo vya kupigia kura, kuhesabu kura, na kupata taarifa za matokeo. Vyombo
vya habari vya serikali vilipata upendeleo mkubwa, huku vyombo binafsi na huru
vikinyimwa fursa sawa, jambo lililopunguza wingi wa sauti na haki ya wananchi kupata
taarifa sahihi na tofauti.“Vitendo hivi viliunda mazingira ya hofu na kujizuia kwa waandishi wa habari, na
kudhoofisha jukumu la vyombo vya habari kama walinzi wa maslahi ya umma katika
kipindi muhimu cha kidemokrasia,” inaeleza ripoti hiyo. “Bila vyombo vya habari huru na
vinavyojitegemea, hakuna demokrasia ya kweli.”
Mashirika hayo yanatoa wito kwa Serikali ya Mapinduzi ya Zanzibar kufanya marekebisho
ya haraka ya sheria za habari kandamizi na zilizopitwa na wakati, kufuata kwa vitendo
Katiba ya nchi pamoja na mikataba ya kimataifa na kikanda ya haki za binadamu, na
kuhakikisha uwajibikaji kwa wote wanaokiuka uhuru wa vyombo vya habari. Aidha,
Mashirika yanaiomba Tume ya Uchaguzi Zanzibar (ZEC) kuangalia kwa kina taratibu
zinazofuata sheria ili kuhakikisha mchakato wa uchaguzi unakuwa wazi, huru, na
unaojumuisha vyombo vya habari na asasi za kiraia bila vitisho wala vikwazo.
Mashirika pia yanasisitiza upya dhamira yake ya kuendelea kutetea haki za waandishi wa
habari, kukuza uandishi wa kitaaluma na wenye maadili, na kuimarisha uhuru wa vyombo
vya habari Zanzibar. Sambamba na hilo Mashirika yanakumbusha kuwa uhuru wa habari
ni nguzo muhimu ya maendeleo endelevu chini ya misingi ya demokrasia, utawala bora,
na imani ya wananchi.
IMETOLEWA NA:
Klabu ya Waandishi wa Habari Zanzibar (ZPC),
Chama Cha Waandishi wa Habari Wanawake Tanzania, Zanzibar (TAMWA-ZNZ)
Waandishi wa Habari za Maendeleo Zanzibar (WAHAMAZA)
Baraza la Habari Tanzania, Zanzibar (MCT, ZNZ)
Jukwaa la Watetezi wa Haki za Binadamu Tanzania, Zanzibar (THRDC, ZNZ) MEDIA, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND SENIOR

JOURNALISTS’ ORGANIZATIONS IN
ZANZIBAR RELEASE A MEDIA MONITORING REPORT AND IN-DEPTH
ANALYSIS OF THE MEDIA SECTOR AND JOURNALISTS’ PERFORMANCE FOR
THE YEAR 2025

Media, human rights and senior journalists’ organizations in Zanzibar have released a
monitoring report that provides an in-depth analysis of media issues and the performance
of journalists during the year 2025. The report focuses particularly on journalists’ roles
and responsibilities, professional ethics, media freedom, as well as achievements and
challenges within the sector.
According to the report, several achievements were recorded in the media sector, notably
the strengthening of journalists’ capacity through various trainings conducted during the
election period, as well as improvements in news analysis and reporting. However, the
analysis also revealed persistent violations of journalistic ethics, including bias in the
selection of news sources, with excessive reliance on statements from political leaders
while failing to provide equal space to other social groups.
Furthermore, some reports lacked balance and fairness due to the failure to present all
sides of an issue, as well as neglecting the public interest by overlooking challenges and
voices of marginalized groups. This practice undermines the principles of ethical
journalism and social justice.
“News coverage has been dominated by leaders’ statements, while marginalized groups
including women, youth, the elderly, and rural communities have not been given the
space they deserve,” the report states.
Although the emergence of various media outlets, particularly online media, represents
an important step toward the growth and strengthening of the media landscape, content
was largely focused on event. As a result, there was a notable lack of investigative
journalism and in-depth analytical reporting.
The report, covering the year 2025, further indicates that the working environment for
journalists was unfavorable. Challenges included threats, harassment, selective
enforcement of laws, denial of access to information, and heightened surveillance of
newsrooms and online platforms. According to the organizations, these conditions
weakened transparency in election reporting, undermined public trust, and limited
citizens’ participation in the democratic process.
In its monitoring before, during, and after the elections, the organizations also identified
some positive practices, including radio programs that promote public participation by
giving citizens a special program to voice the challenges they face in their daily lives and
by engaging decision-makers to explain how those challenges can be addressed. An
example is the program “Pambazuko” on ZBC Radio, which is broadcast from 12:00midnight to 4:00 a.m. However, these achievements were overshadowed by violations of
journalistic ethics, as well as a lack of professionalism and media freedom.
The report further documents instance of harassment against journalists, including
confiscation of working equipment, summons by government authorities, threats of
suspension or closure, and forced removal of published content, particularly when
reporting on elections, good governance, and accountability. Online media outlets were
especially targeted through warning letters, threats of license revocation, and directives
to remove content.
“For example, a journalist from Mawio TV was forced to remove online content that
featured women’s complaints regarding rights, transparency, and accountability in the
nomination of special seats through the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM). Similarly, in
Unguja, Chum Online Media faced threats after publishing citizens’ opinions calling for
justice before peace ahead of the elections. Zanzibar Yetu Online TV was also included
on a list of online media outlets alleged to be unregistered and unpaid, placing it at risk
of closure, despite having already fulfilled these requirements,” the report elaborates.
The report also highlights structural challenges arising from Zanzibar’s media legal and
policy framework. Several media laws are outdated, including the News Agency,
Newspapers and Books Act of 1988 (amended in 1997) and the Zanzibar Broadcasting
Commission Act of 1997 (amended in 2010). These laws grant extensive powers to
government officials and enable interference in media operations. Although the Zanzibar
Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, its implementation does not fully align
with international and regional human rights standards, creating room for abuse of
power.
During the election period, some journalists and civil society organizations were denied
access to polling stations, vote counting processes, and election results. State-owned
media outlets received preferential treatment, while private and independent media were
denied equal opportunities, thereby limiting diversity of voices and citizens’ right to access
accurate and varied information.
“These actions created an environment of fear and self-censorship among journalists,
undermining the role of the media as a watchdog of public interest during a critical
democratic period,” the report states. “Without free and independent media, there can
be no true democracy.”
The organizations call upon the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar to urgently reform
repressive and outdated media laws, to implement the Constitution in practice, and to
comply with international and regional human rights instruments. They further urge
accountability for all individuals who violate media freedom. In addition, the organizations
call on the Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC) to thoroughly review and enforce lawfulprocedures to ensure that the electoral process is transparent, free, and inclusive of
media and civil society organizations without threats or restrictions.
The organizations reaffirm their commitment to continue defending journalists’ rights,
promoting professional and ethical journalism, and strengthening media freedom in
Zanzibar. They further emphasize that media freedom is a fundamental pillar of
sustainable development, grounded in democracy, good governance, and public trust.
ISSUED BY:
Zanzibar Press Club (ZPC)
Tanzania Media Women’s Association – Zanzibar (TAMWA-ZNZ)
Zanzibar Development Journalists Association (WAHAMAZA)
Media Council of Tanzania – Zanzibar (MCT, ZNZ)
Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition – Zanzibar (THRDC, ZNZ)