Tanzania Charts New Path for Journalist Safety Ahead of Elections

September 06, 2025 – Tanzania –

In a landmark moment for press freedom, Tanzania has launched a bold initiative to bolster journalist safety through multi-stakeholder collaboration. The National Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue on Journalist Safety and Security, held at UNESCO’s UN House in Dar es Salaam and convened by the Union of Tanzania Press Clubs (UTPC) in partnership with UNESCO and the Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC), brought together key actors—journalists, police, human rights advocates, and development organizations—to confront long-standing safety gaps facing the media.

The centerpiece of the event was a powerful pledge by Inspector General of Police Camilius Wambura, who assured journalists that the police are “partners in ensuring accurate, independent and safe reporting ahead of the 2025 General Elections,” reinforcing that press safety is both patriotic and integral to democracy.

This initiative builds upon a foundation of 56 dialogue forums held across 14 regions, with support from International Media Support (IMS), the Swiss Embassy in Tanzania, and the European Union. These earlier sessions fostered trust between police and journalists through candid, face-to-face exchanges.

The UTPC, alongside its partners, outlined a comprehensive safety framework structured around three pillars: Prevention, Protection, and Accountability. Dialogue participants emphasized that journalist safety must go beyond avoiding physical threats—it must include thorough investigations of violations and mechanisms to hold perpetrators accountable.

A key focus of the dialogue was gender-sensitive protection. Rose Reuben, Executive Director of TAMWA, warned of the compounded risks faced by women journalists—including on-site harassment, sexual violence, and online abuse—and stressed that ignoring these threats would perpetuate silence and endanger press freedom.

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Tanzania charts new path for journalist safety ahead of elections