Although no formal study has been conducted to give any formal statistics in Tanzania until now, it is evident that the media industry has taken a big hit from the effects of the COVID 19 caused by the novel Corona virus.

Tanzania like other countries around the world is currently battling the spread of the virus that is wrecking lives and economies. It is a journalist’s duty to clearly and responsibly communicate reliable information to the general public and provide feedback (from the public) to the government and policy makers. During a global health crisis like this, this role becomes ever more critical.

The media has also suffered in terms of dwindling sales, advertising, staff salary reductions and layoffs, quarantines and deaths presumed to have been caused by the deadly virus.

Press freedom and Access to Information
The COVID-19 pandemic was confirmed to have reached Tanzania in March 2020, and by April 29, there were 509 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 21 deaths. And only three people were authorized to give official information about the pandemic – The President, Prime Minister and Minister for Health. Then from April 29, the authorities stopped reporting case numbers. But even before suspending regular press briefings on COVID-19, the government was already censoring journalists and media outlets who report on the disease though access to information is an essential part of the fight against COVID-19.

The government on 20 April suspended Talib Ussi Hamad, a journalist with Tanzania Daima daily newspaper, for six months for reporting on COVID-19. He is claimed to have released information on a corona virus patient without the consent of the patient contrary to medical ethics. In a press release the Zanzibar Director of Information, Dr. Juma Mohamed Salum quoting articles 41, 42(a) and (b) of the Newspaper, Books and Information Agency Act Number 5 of 1988 and its amendments Number 8 of 1997, said journalist Talib Ussi Hamad is not allowed to collect, distribute or conduct any journalism activity for six months.

Talib Hamad’s suspension came just days after Tanzania’s leading Kiswahili daily, Mwananchi, had its online license suspended after it posted a photo of President John Pombe Magufuli out shopping for fish in his home town of Chato on April 13 surrounded by a crowd of people, eliciting online discussion on the country’s approach to addressing COVID-19, apparently breaching global social distancing guidelines. Authorities said the photo was not recent.

The company has also been fined five million Tanzanian shillings (about USD 2200) for what the Content Committee said was contravening electronic and postal communications regulations of 2018. According to a public notice by the TCRA Director, it has been established that on April 13, 2020 on its online pages, Mwananchi newspaper published false information which created panic in contravention of regulation Number 5(1) and 12(1) of the electronic and postal communications.

Three other media organizations - Star Media Tanzania Ltd, Multichoice Tanzania Ltd and Azam Digital Broadcast Ltd – were on 2 April each fined the same amount and ordered to apologize for “transmission of false and misleading information” on the country’s approach to managing COVID-19.

On March 4, 2020, Salma Said writing for DW from Zanzibar was threatened by the Government of Zanzibar for releasing information about people suspected to have Corona virus. Salma’s story said two people suspected to have Corona virus, who are foreigners, were taken to Global Hospital in Zanzibar for check up. However, she reported, it was not confirmed whether they tested positive for the virus.

The media plays a crucial role in informing the public about the factual situation and measures taken by governments in response to COVID-19. Its capacity to operate freely should not be unduly restricted.

Less events for coverage
A number of measures were introduced by the government but also individuals and other organizations as precautions against the pandemic. All public events including sports were suspended from March 2020. This has had an impact on the availability of news apart from reports related to the pandemic and therefore affecting sales.

Dwindling Sales and Advertising revenue
Many offices have closed due to COVID-19 particularly private companies, hotels, foreign embassies, international organizations and NGOs. People’s movements have been restricted due to fear of contracting the virus. This has had a direct impact especially on newspaper sales forcing some companies to cut down on staff or reduce salaries.
Staff layoffs
Only one newspaper in Tanzania, Jamhuri on April 30, 2020 announced that they were laying off 50 percent of their staff, and the remaining 50 percent will get a 20 percent salary reduction.

Quarantines, illnesses and deaths
Although it was not officially confirmed, but there are credible reports that a major media organization had to enforce a quarantine of its staff after three died and several others were hospitalized in circumstances related to Corona virus infections.