THE Union of Tanzania Press Clubs (UTPC) has commended members of the Parliamentary Constitution and Legal Affairs Committee and as well as Education, Arts and Sports Committee for their constructive engagement on the Media Services Act (MSA) of 2016.

The engagement session, held at the weekend in Dodoma, provided a platform to reflect on the law, assess its effectiveness and identify areas for improvement to create   more conducive working environment for the media.

Kenneth Simbaya, UTPC executive director, praised the MPs for their openness and willingness to understand stakeholders' concerns, emphasising the importance of such discussions in fostering inclusive and balanced media legislation.

“This engagement marks a significant milestone in addressing key issues surrounding the Media Services Act. The MPs’ receptiveness to stakeholders’ concerns demonstrates a commitment to creating an enabling environment for the media, which is crucial for strengthening democracy and freedom of expression,” he said.

The dialogue underscored shared commitment to revisit restrictive provisions in the MSA that hinder press freedom and compromise journalists’ safety and independence.

Dr Joseph Mhagama, Chairperson of the Constitution and Legal Affairs Committee, welcomed UTPC's initiative but reminded stakeholders that amending laws require involvement of multiple entities, including the government.

“We urge UTPC to provide detailed analysis of the MSA provisions that hinder press freedom and offer concrete recommendations,” advised Saashisha Mafuwe, another MP who participated in the discussions.

Retired High Court Judge Robert Makaramba emphasised that the media thrives in an environment that supports its independence and operational freedom. He noted the government's efforts under President Samia Suluhu Hassan to improve Tanzania's ranking on the Press Freedom Index, which rose from 143 in 2023 to 97 in 2024.

“To sustain these gains, it is essential to address unfinished reforms to the Media Services Act. Collaborative engagements like this align with President Samia’s ‘4Rs’ agenda of Reconciliation, Resilience, Reforms, and Rebuilding,” he said.

UTPC reiterated its commitment to working closely with lawmakers, government officials, and other stakeholders to advocate for   reformed legal framework that balances media regulation and press freedom.

Advocate Fulgance Masawe stressed the need for immediate reviews and amendments to the MSA to strengthen protections for journalists. He also recommended institutionalizing regular dialogues on freedom of expression and developing national strategies for media and digital literacy as long-term measures.

“The media, as a pillar of democracy, requires robust protection and empowerment. Parliament plays a critical role in creating an enabling environment for freedom of expression,” he stated.

The seminar, supported by the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABAROLI), highlighted the growing recognition of the media's role in fostering informed public discourse and driving national development.

UTPC expressed optimism that amendments to the MSA would address stakeholders’ concerns and promote a supportive environment for media growth and innovation.