Tanzanian media will become a political battleground

Significance

In early March, the Tanzanian High Court ruled in favour of the 2015 Cybercrimes Act, rejecting arguments that it breaks freedom of expression laws. Social media represents a potent forum for challenging the dominance of the state, as many African governments are realising, but in their efforts to control public narratives, they are failing to address the threat of cybercrime.

Impacts

• The government is likely to increase the use of the Cybercrimes Act to target critical voices on social media.
• As the opposition strengthens, government efforts to quell public criticism in both old and new media will intensify.
• The government still maintains the support of donors, but attacks on individuals and opposition critics could undermine relationships.
• Far from limiting public criticism, excessive use of the Cybercrimes Act could intensify autocratic perceptions of Magufuli.