TAARIFA KWA VYOMBO VYA HABARI
ZAMECO: SERIKALI IWEKE WAZI RATIBA YA KUWASILISHA MSWADA WA
SHERIA YA HUDUMA ZA HABARI ZANZIBAR
14, Juni, 2026
Kamati ya Wataalamu wa Masuala ya Habari Zanzibar (ZAMECO) inaishauri Serikali
kuharakisha taratibu za kuuwasilisha Barazani Mswada wa Huduma za Habari Zanzibar
ili ujadiliwe na kuwa sheria, mswada ambao umekuwa ukipigwa danadana kwa zaidi ya
miaka kumi sasa. Sheria za Habari zimepitwa na wakati na zinapatikana katika vipande
vipande vikiwemo katika Sheria ya Usajili wa Wakala wa Habari, Magazeti na Vitabu Na.
5 ya mwaka 1988 iliyofanyiwa marekebisho na Sheria Na. 7 ya mwaka 1997, Sheria ya
Tume ya Utangazaji Zanzibar Na. 7 ya mwaka 1997 iliyofanyiwa marekebisho na Sheria
Na. 1 ya mwaka 2010, Sheria Na. 6 ya Baraza la Wawakilishi ya mwaka 2022 na Sheria
ya Kufuta Sheria ya Uchaguzi Na. 11 ya mwaka 1984 na Kutunga Sheria ya Uchaguzi ya
2017 na Mambo Yanayohusiasa na Hayo.
Sheria hizi zimezipa nguvu kubwa taasisi za Serikali ikiwemo kusajili na kufungia
vyombo vya habari kinyume na maelekezo ya demokrasia yanayosisitiza ushirikishaji na
utawala bora wa sheria.
Taarifa kwamba Mswada huo upo tayari na unatarajiwa kufikishwa Barazani zilianza
kusikika tokea Balozi Mahmoud Thabit Kombo alipokuwa Waziri wa Habari mwaka 2015.
Mei 2023 wakati wa maadhimisho ya Siku ya Uhuru wa Habari, aliyekuwa Waziri wa
Habari; Bi Tabia Maulid Mwita alitangaza kuwa Mswada huo ulishakamilika kwa asilimia
80 mbele ya Rais wa Zanzibar na Mwenyekiti wa Baraza la Mapinduzi, Mhe Dkt. Hussein
Mwinyi.
Naye Waziri wa Habari, Sanaa, Utamaduni na Michezo Dkt.Riziki Pembe wakati wa kikao
chake cha kwanza na wadau wa sekta ya Habari cha tarehe 28 Januari 2026 aliwaambia
waandishi wa Habari kuwa anatarajia kuuwasilisha Barazani Mswada wa sheria hiyo
ifikapo Septemba mwaka huu.
Hadi sasa Bajeti ya Wizara ya Habari ya 2026/27 imeshapitishwa na kugusia tu
kutayarisha sera, sheria na kanuni mbali mbali zinazojumuisha Wizara hiyo, lakini
haikuzungumzia kwa upekee juu ya mswaada wa Sheria ya Habari Zanzibar.ZAMECO imefuatilia kwa karibu mjadala uliofanyika katika Kikao cha 11 cha Mkutano wa
Tatu wa Baraza la Wawakilishi Zanzibar, kilichoanza Mei 6, 2026, ambao utamalizika
rasmi baada ya kukamilisha shughuli zake za bajeti.
Wakati wa mjadala wa Bajeti ya Wizara ya Habari, Wawakilishi kadhaa waliitaka Serikali
kueleza kwa uwazi lini sheria hiyo itawasilishwa rasmi Barazani.
Wajumbe waliochangia walionesha kutoridhishwa na ucheleweshaji wa muda mrefu wa
sheria hiyo, huku mmoja wao akisema: “Sheria ya habari imefikia wapi? Waandishi wa
habari wamesema mpaka wamechoka, sheria imekuwa ikitolewa ahadi tu italetwa
Barazani lakini ni hadithi tu haifiki, miaka imekuwa mingi.” Mhe. Jaku Hashim Ayoub,
Mwakilishi jimbo la Paje.
“Sheria ya habari imekuwa ikiahidiwa kwa muda mrefu kuwasilishwa Barazani, lakini
hadi sasa bado haijafikishwa. Tunahitaji kuambiwa wazi ni lini hasa Serikali italeta
sheria hiyo katika Baraza la Wawakilishi ili tuweze kuijadili na kuifanyia maamuzi.
Wananchi na wadau wa sekta ya habari wanastahili kupata majibu ya uhakika badala ya
kuendelea kusikia ahadi zinazojirudia.” Prof. Omar Fakih, Mwakilishi wa Jimbo la
Pandani
ZAMECO inawapongeza wawakilishi wote ambao kwa dhati kabisa wamepokea kilio cha
muda mrefu cha wadau wa habari na kukifikisha kilio hicho ndani ya Baraza la
Wawakilishi kwa weledi mkubwa.
Ni wazi kuwa sheria ya huduma za habari ikipitishwa haitawalinda waandishi wa habari
pekee bali jamii kwa ujumla na kuharakisha maendeleo ya nchi kiuchumi, kisiasa na
kijamii kwa vile itasimamia uongozi bora ikiwemo mapambano dhidi ya rushwa, haki,
usawa, uwazi na uwajibikaji.
“Sheria ya sasa imepitwa na wakati na inahitaji maboresho ya haraka ili kuendana na
maendeleo ya sekta ya habari na teknolojia”, Mhe. Seif Hamad (Jimbo la Ole) na Mhe.
Said Ali Mbarouk (Jimbo la Gando), ambaye pia aliwahi kuwa Waziri wa Habari mwaka
2010, walisisitiza.
Michango hiyo ya Wawakilishi inaonesha uelewa mkubwa kuhusu mchango wa sekta ya
habari na zinaakisi sauti na matarajio ya wadau wengi wa habari sababu sheria hiyo
italinda haki ya kutoa taarifa, kupata taarifa na uhuru wa kujieleza ambazo ni haki za
msingi za binadamu kama zilivyoainishwa katika mikataba mingi ya kimataifa, kikanda
na kitaifa. Hii ni pamoja na;
Ibara ya 19 ya Azimio la Kimataifa la Haki za Binaadamu (UDHR), Ibara ya 9 ya
Mkataba wa Afrika wa Haki za Binaadamu na Watu (ACHPR), Mkataba wa Kimataifa wa
Haki za Kiraia na Kisiasa (ICCPR), pamoja na Katiba ya Zanzibar na Tanzania.Kamati pia imebaini kuwa pamoja na umuhimu wa maboresho ya sheria, bado kuna
changamoto zinazowakabili waandishi wa habari katika utekelezaji wa majukumu yao.
Miongoni mwa changamoto hizo ni mazingira yasiyoridhisha ya kufanyia kazi waandishi
wanaoripoti shughuli za Baraza la Wawakilishi, jambo ambalo lilielezwa na baadhi ya
wajumbe kuwa linahitaji kupatiwa ufumbuzi wa haraka.
ZAMECO inaamini kuwa kuboresha mazingira ya kazi kwa waandishi wa habari ni
sehemu muhimu ya kuimarisha taaluma ya habari, kuongeza ubora wa taarifa
zinazowafikia wananchi na kuwezesha vyombo vya habari kutekeleza wajibu wake kwa
ufanisi zaidi.
Kamati inaona kuwa Zanzibar yenye maendeleo, uwazi na usawa inahitaji mazingira
salama ya kisheria na kiutendaji yatakayowezesha waandishi wa habari na vyombo vya
habari kutekeleza wajibu wao kwa uhuru, weledi na bila vitisho. Aidha, uandishi wa
habari za uchunguzi unapaswa kupewa nafasi na ulinzi wa kutosha kutokana na
mchango wake katika kufichua ukweli, kulinda rasilimali za umma na kuimarisha
uwajibikaji.
ZAMECO inaiomba tena Serikali ya Mapinduzi Zanzibar kuharakisha mchakato wa
kukamilisha na kuwasilisha Mswada huo Septemba mwaka huu kama ilivyoahidiwa
ambapo inaamini kuwa Sheria ya Huduma za Habari itajenga mfumo wa kisheria
unaokwenda sambamba na mabadiliko ya kidijitali, unaolinda uhuru wa habari,
unaokuza uwajibikaji na unaochangia maendeleo ya sekta ya habari nchini. Wakati huo
huo, Kamati inawahimiza waandishi wa habari kuendelea kuzingatia maadili ya taaluma
yao, ikiwemo uadilifu, usahihi, uwajibikaji na uzingatiaji wa maslahi ya umma.
ZAMECO inajumuisha mashirika yanayojihusisha na masuala ya habari, waandishi wa
habari, wahariri, pamoja na Mtandao ya utetezi wa haki za binaadamu nchini.
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),
Mtandao wa Watetezi wa Haki za Binadamu Tanzania, Zanzibar (THRDC, ZNZ).ZAMECO CALLS ON THE GOVERNMENT TO PUBLICLY ANNOUNCE A TIMELINE
FOR TABLING THE ZANZIBAR MEDIA SERVICES BILL
14 June 2026
The Zanzibar Media Experts Committee (ZAMECO) calls upon the Government of
Zanzibar to speed up the process of tabling the Zanzibar Media Services Bill before the
House of Representatives for debate and enactment. The Bill has been delayed for
more than a decade despite repeated assurances that it would be presented.
The current legal framework governing the media sector in Zanzibar is outdated and
fragmented, comprising various laws including the Registration of News Agents,
Newspapers and Books Act No. 5 of 1988 as amended by Act No.7 of 1997, the
Zanzibar Broadcasting Commission Act No. 7 of 1997 as amended by Act No.1 of 2010,
the House of Representatives (Immunities, Powers and Privileges) Act No. 6 of 2022
and An act to repeal the election Act No. 11 of 1984 and enact of the Election Act 2017
and other matters connected therewith.
These laws have granted extensive powers to government institutions, including the
authority to register and suspend media outlets, contrary to democratic principles that
emphasize participation, inclusiveness and the rule of law.
Reports that the Bill was ready for tabling before the House of Representatives date
back to 2015, during the tenure of Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo as Minister
responsible for Information. In May 2023, during the World Press Freedom Day
celebrations, the then Minister for Information, Ms. Tabia Maulid Mwita, informed the
President of Zanzibar and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council, Hon. Dr. Hussein Ali
Mwinyi, that the Bill was already 80% complete.
Similarly, the current Minister for Information, Arts, Culture and Sports, Dr. Riziki
Pembe Juma, informed media stakeholders during her first meeting with them on 28
January 2026 that she expected the Bill to be tabled before the House of
Representatives by September this year.
To date, the Ministry’s 2026/27 budget has already been approved. While it generally
refers to the preparation of policies, laws and regulations under the Ministry’s mandate,
it does not specifically address the Zanzibar Media Services Bill.
ZAMECO closely followed the deliberations of the 11th Session of the Third House of
Representatives, which commenced on 6 May 2026 and focused primarily on the
approval of government budgets. During the debate on the Ministry’s budget, several
Members of the House urged the Government to clearly indicate when the Bill would be
formally presented.Members expressed concern over the prolonged delay. Hon. Jaku Hashim Ayoub,
Representative for Paje Constituency, stated:
“What is the status of the Media Law? Journalists have repeatedly raised this issue and
have become tired of hearing promises that the law will be brought before the House.
Year after year, it remains only a promise.”
Likewise, Prof. Omar Fakih, Representative for Pandani Constituency, noted:
“The Media Law has been promised for a long time, yet it has still not been tabled
before the House. We need a clear indication of exactly when the Government intends
to bring the Bill before the House of Representatives for debate and decision-making.
Citizens and media stakeholders deserve certainty rather than repeated assurances.”
ZAMECO commends all Representatives who have genuinely amplified the longstanding
concerns of media stakeholders and brought them to the attention of the House of
Representatives.
The Committee believes that the enactment of comprehensive Media Services Law will
not only protect journalists but also benefit society. A modern media law will contribute
to economic, political and social development by promoting good governance,
transparency, accountability, justice, equality and the fight against corruption.
Hon. Seif Hamad (Ole Constituency) and Hon. Said Ali Mbarouk (Gando Constituency),
who also served as Minister responsible for Information in 2010, emphasized that:
“The current media legislation is outdated and requires urgent reform in order to
respond to developments within the media sector and communication technologies.”
The views expressed by Members of the House demonstrate a strong appreciation of
the vital role played by the media and reflect the expectations of many stakeholders.
The proposed legislation is expected to safeguard the rights to freedom of expression,
access to information and impart information, which are fundamental human rights
recognized under international, regional and national legal instruments.
These include Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), Article 9
of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), the International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), as well as the Constitutions of Zanzibar
and the United Republic of Tanzania.
The Committee has also observed that, despite the need for legal reforms, journalists
continue to face challenges in carrying out their professional duties. Among these are
inadequate working conditions for journalists covering proceedings of the House of
Representatives, an issue that several Members acknowledged requires urgent
attention.ZAMECO believes that improving journalists’ working conditions is essential for
strengthening the media profession, enhancing the quality of information available to
citizens and enabling media institutions to effectively fulfil their public service role.
A progressive, transparent and equitable Zanzibar requires a legal and operational
environment that allows journalists and media institutions to perform their duties freely,
professionally and without intimidation. Investigative journalism deserves greater
protection and support given its contribution to exposing wrongdoing, safeguarding
public resources and promoting accountability.
ZAMECO therefore once again urges the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar to
expedite the finalization and tabling of the Zanzibar Media Services Bill by September
2026, as previously promised. The Committee believes that the enactment of the Bill
will establish a modern legal framework that responds to the realities of the digital era,
protects media freedom, promotes accountability and supports the sustainable
development of the media sector in Zanzibar.
At the same time, ZAMECO encourages journalists to continue upholding the highest
professional and ethical standards, including integrity, accuracy, accountability and
commitment to the public interest.
ZAMECO brings together organizations and professionals working on media
development, media freedom and freedom of expression issues, including journalists,
editors and human rights defenders coalition in Zanzibar.
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)