Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – In a move signaling a renewed focus on media professionalism ahead of the crucial general election slated for October 28, 2025, the Tanzanian government has initiated a specialized training program for bloggers. This development has been warmly received by the Tanzania Bloggers Network (TBN), an organization representing over 200 bloggers within the country and its diaspora, viewing it as a vital step in enhancing their role in the democratic process.
The training comes amidst a complex regulatory environment for online content in Tanzania. Since 2018, and further reinforced by the Electronic and Postal Communications (Online Content) Regulations of 2020, bloggers and online content providers have been required to register and pay licensing fees to the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA). These regulations, while aimed at managing online content, have also raised concerns among media freedom advocates about potential restrictions on free expression. However, the current initiative appears to be a collaborative effort, with the TCRA directly involved in the training’s implementation.
Beda Msimbe, Chairman of the Tanzania Bloggers Network, confirmed that discussions with the TCRA, the nation’s primary content regulator, indicate the program is in its final stages of implementation. “We have been in discussions with the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), who are essentially the main content regulators, and they have confirmed that they are in the final stages of implementing the government’s directive to provide training for all bloggers in the country,” Msimbe stated.
The training’s core objectives are ambitious: to instill professionalism, foster patriotism, and equip bloggers with the critical skills needed to identify and combat fake news. This initiative is particularly pertinent as East African nations, including Tanzania, have experienced the disruptive impact of disinformation on electoral integrity. Examples from Kenya’s 2017 elections and Uganda’s 2021 polls highlight how online disinformation campaigns, often involving doctored images, falsified videos, and misleading hashtags, can manipulate voter behavior and distort democratic debate. By enhancing bloggers’ ability to disseminate accurate information, the government and TBN aim to empower citizens to make informed decisions in the upcoming elections.
“We need to remind ourselves about this country, our constitution, peace, and the importance of elections in our type of democracy. This government’s decision to train us is very important,” Msimbe elaborated, emphasizing the civic responsibility inherent in their work.
Msimbe expressed TBN’s long-standing desire for such training, particularly noting that many members would be experiencing their first general election. Their request was reiterated during a recent stakeholders’ meeting organized by the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts, and Sports, signaling a constructive dialogue between the government and the blogging community.
The TBN leadership is actively coordinating with the government to ensure that over 150 of its members across Tanzania benefit from this crucial program. Bloggers are encouraged to contact TBN coordinator, Gadiola Emmanuel, to confirm their details for participation. Msimbe also extended an invitation to non-members to join TBN and seize this valuable training opportunity.
The Tanzania Bloggers Network encompasses a wide array of content creators, covering diverse subjects from sports and political news to health, economy, and general interest stories. This training is expected to significantly enhance their capacity to provide truthful and reliable information, thereby contributing to a more transparent and accountable electoral environment in Tanzania.