Journalists Targeted Amid Tanzania’s Post-Election Repression

November 21, 2025 – Tanzania –

In the aftermath of the disputed October 29, 2025, general election in Tanzania, the International Press Institute (IPI) has voiced strong condemnation of the wave of attacks targeting journalists during a sweeping crackdown on post-election protests.

According to IPI, at least two journalists were killed, one was severely injured, and many others were arbitrarily detained as security forces moved against protesters. The violence follows a surge of unrest triggered by alleged electoral irregularities and the exclusion of key opposition figures, deepening concerns over both political repression and shrinking civic space in the country.

In its statement, IPI highlighted that the detentions and attacks were not isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern of repression against those covering the protests. Journalists found themselves at heightened risk while reporting on the unrest, with little protection or accountability for abuses. The organisation called for urgent action to guarantee the safety of media workers and to ensure that independent journalism can continue.

The crackdown included arrests of media professionals alongside massive security operations targeting protestors. Observers note that controlling the narrative over the protests appears central to the government’s strategy, placing press freedom directly in the crosshairs. In this climate, the need for transparent investigations into violence against journalists becomes all the more critical.

IPI’s call comes as international attention intensifies on Tanzania’s human-rights situation. The organisation demands that authorities provide tangible protection for journalists, conduct credible inquiries into attacks, and hold perpetrators to account. Without meaningful progress, analysts warn the mounting threats to media independence will have severe implications for democracy, civil liberties, and the public’s right to know.

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Tanzania: IPI strongly condemns attacks on journalists amid post-election protest crackdown