Editing Telecommunications in Tanzania (section)

==Freedom of speech==

The constitution provides for [[freedom of speech]], but does not explicitly provide for [[freedom of the press]]. A permit is required for reporting on police or prison activities, and journalists need special permission to attend meetings in the Zanzibar House of Representatives. Anyone publishing information accusing a Zanzibari representative of involvement in illegal activities is liable to a fine of not less than [[Tanzanian shilling|TSh&nbsp;]]{{shilingi|250,000}} (US$158), three years' imprisonment, or both. Nothing in the law specifies whether this penalty stands if the allegation is proven true. Media outlets often practice [[self-censorship]] to avoid conflict with the government.<ref name=USDOS-CRHRP-Tanzania-2012/>

The law generally prohibits arbitrary interference with privacy, family, home, or correspondence  without a search warrant, but the government does not consistently respect these prohibitions. It is widely believed that security forces monitor telephones and correspondence of some citizens and foreign residents. The actual nature and extent of this practice is unknown.<ref name=USDOS-CRHRP-Tanzania-2012/>

Under the ''Electronic and Postal Communications (Online Content) Regulations 2018'', blogs, online forums, and internet radio and television operations, must register with the government as an online content provider, and pay an annual fee. The fee is roughly equivalent to the annual income in Tanzania.<ref>{{cite news|title=Tanzania: Bloggers to be charged $900 (average annual income) per year for right to speak|url=http://perilofafrica.com/tanzania-bloggers-to-be-charged-900-annual-average-income-per-year-for-right-to-speak/|access-date=25 April 2018|publisher=Peril of Africa|date=15 April 2018|archive-date=11 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190911005116/http://perilofafrica.com/tanzania-bloggers-to-be-charged-900-annual-average-income-per-year-for-right-to-speak/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Online content providers may not post obscene or explicit content, hate speech, content that "causes annoyance", incites harm or crime, or threatens national security and public safety. Violators may be fined or have their licences revoked.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://qz.com/1248762/tanzania-social-media-and-blogging-regulations-charge-to-operate-online/|title=Tanzania social media and blogging regulations charge to operate online|last=Dahir|first=Abdi Latif|website=Quartz|date=10 April 2018 |language=en-US|access-date=2018-04-25}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tcra.go.tz/images/documents/regulations/SUPP_GN_NO_133_16_03_2018_EPOCA_ONLINE_CONTENT_REGULATIONS_2018.pdf|title=THE ELECTRONIC AND POSTAL COMMUNICATIONS (ONLINE CONTENT) REGULATIONS, 2018|access-date=April 24, 2018|archive-date=June 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190624174824/https://www.tcra.go.tz/images/documents/regulations/SUPP_GN_NO_133_16_03_2018_EPOCA_ONLINE_CONTENT_REGULATIONS_2018.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>