Renowned Kenyan journalist Larry Madowo has revealed that he is not covering the ongoing general elections in Tanzania due to the country’s tight restrictions on independent journalism.
In a video shared on social media on Thursday, Madowo said Tanzania’s laws make it nearly impossible for foreign correspondents to report freely without government authorization.
“Why am I not covering the elections in Tanzania? It’s simple Tanzania does not like independent, critical reporting,” he stated.
The CNN correspondent explained that foreign journalists must obtain media accreditation from the Tanzanian government before conducting any form of reporting in the country a process he described as bureaucratic and often unsuccessful.
“To operate in Tanzania as a foreigner, I need media accreditation essentially, permission from the government. But historically, Tanzania rarely issues these permits,” Madowo said.
He added that the media environment remains restrictive, noting that press freedom challenges seen under former President John Magufuli have persisted under the current administration of President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
While Madowo could technically enter Tanzania as a tourist, he clarified that doing so would not legally allow him to report, and attempting to do so could expose him to arrest or deportation.
“Could I go as a tourist because I don’t need a visa as a Kenyan? Yes. But I’m not allowed to report in that status it would be against the law,” he explained. “I could be arrested, deported, or worse. And we know what Tanzania does to people they don’t like.”
Madowo also expressed concern for local Tanzanian journalists, saying many face harassment, intimidation, and censorship when reporting on politically sensitive issues.
“Even Tanzanian journalists find it hard to operate. They are harassed and intimidated,” he said, adding that several foreign reporters from international media outlets have also struggled to get accreditation or never receive a response to their applications.
His remarks come amid a highly charged election period in Tanzania, where both local and international observers have raised concerns about press freedom and transparency.
