Surviving the Print Crisis: Operational Struggle Facing Tanzania Newspapers
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
This study examined the operational challenges faced by print media in Tanzania, with a focus on the Mwananchi and Habari Leo newspapers. The theories of Technological Determinism and Gatekeeping guided it. The study employed a qualitative, case-study design; data were collected through interviews with 29 media professionals, two focus groups, and 70 questionnaires completed by media staff, vendors, readers, and industry experts. The data were thematically analyzed, and the results identified five significant challenges facing print media operation in Tanzania, including: declining journalism quality due to staff layoffs and rushed stories; digital disruption leading to changing consumer behaviour from print to digital; financial constraints caused by decreased circulation, sales, and advertising revenue; an unfriendly media legal framework; and political and business pressures. The study recommends adopting digital technology to improve journalistic standards, increase flexibility, and attract digital consumers. It also advocates for a comprehensive policy review to promote a free, competitive, and sustainable media sector. Specifically, it urges the government to revise restrictive media laws to support the survival, independence, and growth of Tanzania’s print media, striking a balance between technological advancements and robust protections for press freedom while maintaining the quality and standards of published news and information.
Downloads
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
How to Cite
References
Adgate, B. (2021, August 20). Newspapers Have Been Struggling, And Then Came the Pandemic. Forbes.
African Centre for Media Excellence (2022). State of the Newsroom in Tanzania. A Survey Report. African Centre for Media Excellence. Kampala Uganda. https://acme-ug.org/wp-content/uploads/State-of-the-Newsroom-in-Tanzania_-ACME-FINAL-2.pdf.
Ahrens, J. (2016). The decline in newspapers: A closer look. Wake Review (Raleigh, NC: Wake Review Literary Magazine & Club, Wake Tech Community College, Nov 2016). https://www.scribd.com/document/646447768/The-Decline-in-Newspapers-A-Closer-Look.
Bhuller, M., Harves, T., McCauley, J, & Mogstand, M. (2023). How the Internet Changed the Market for Print Media. Working Paper · No. 2023-21. https://bfi.uchicago.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/BFI_WP_2023-21.pdf
Caulfield, J. (2022, March 10). How to Do Thematic Analysis | A Step-by-Step Guide & Examples.
https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/thematic-analysis/.
Creswell, J.W. & Creswell, J.D. (2018). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approach. New Delhi: SAGE Publishers. https://www.google.com/search?q=5.+Creswell%2C+J.W.+%26+Creswell%2C+J.D.+(2018).+Research+Design%3A+Qualitative%2C+Quantitative%2C+and+Mixed+Methods+Approach.+New+Delhi%3A+SAGE+Publishers&oq=.
Creswell, J.W. & Plano Clark, V.L. (2018). Designing and Conducting Mixed Methods Research (3rd Edition). London: SAGE Publishers.https://www.google.com/search?q=6.+Creswell%2C+J.W.+%26+Plano+Clark%2C+V.L.+(2018).+Designing+and+Conducting+Mixed+Methods+Research+(3rd+Edition).+London%3A+SAGE+Publishers.&aqs=chrome..69i57.1028j0j15&sou
Drew, C. (2023, January 18). Technological determinism theory (5 examples, pros & cons). Helpful Professor.
https://helpfulprofessor.com/technological-determinism-theory.
Eastern Africa Editors Society [EAES] (2024). Navigating Hazards: Newsroom safety in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. 2024 Report. https://www.google.com/search?q=7.+Eastern+Africa+Editors+Society+%5BEAES%5D+(2024).+Navigating+Hazards%3A+Newsroom+safety+in+Kenya%2C+Uganda%2C+and+Tanzania.+2024+Report.&oq=7.%09Eastern+Africa+Editors+.
Farrow, R. I., Weller, F. M., & Pitt, R. (2020). The GO-GN research methods handbook. Open education research hub. The Open University. https://www.google.com/search.
Friedrichsen, M. & Kamalipour, Y. (2017). Digital Transformation in Journalism and News Media, Springer International. https://www.google.com/search?q=8.+Friedrichsen%2C+M.+%26+Kamalipour%2C+Y.+(2017).+Digital+Transformation+in+Journalism+and+News+Media.
Gabunia, T. (2023, September 3). Gatekeeping theory: Definition, examples, criticisms. Helpful Professor. Reviewed by Drew, C. https://helpfulprofessor.com/gatekeeping-theory/.
Hauer, T. (2017). Technological determinism and new media. International Journal of English Literature and Social Sciences (IJELS), 2(2), 2456-7620. https://ijels.com/detail/technological-determinism-and-new-media/
Hellmueller, H., Camaj, J., Vara, S.V., & Lindner, P. (2024). The Impact of Journalistic Cultures on Social Media Discourse: US Primary Debates in Cross-Lingual Online Spaces. Digital Journalism. Routledge. Taylor & Francis. 1-21.
DOI: https://doi/full/10.1080/21670811.2024.2402371.
Johnsons, M. and Smith, J. (2023). Changes in the market for news media.https://www.google.com/search?q=11.+Johnsons%2C+M.+and+Smith%2C+J.+(2023).+Changes+in+the+market+for+news+media.&oq=11.%09Johnsons%2C+M.+and+Smith%2C+J.+(2023).+TF-8
Katunzi, A. (2023). A portrait of Tanzanian journalists: A survey report. ACME Media Monitoring and Research Associate. https://Acme-Ug.Org/Wp-Content/Uploads/A-Portrait-Of-Tanzanian-Journalists-Survey-Report-2022-2.Pdf
Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. (2017). Economic Survey 2017. Real Towers. https://www.knbs.or.ke/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2017-Economic-Survey.pdf
Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Economic Survey 2021. Real Towers. https://www.knbs.or.ke/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Economic-Survey-2021.pdf
Kleinheksel, A. J., Winston, N. R., Tawfik, H., & Wyatt, T. R. (2020). Qualitative research in pharmacy education: Demystifying content analysis. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 84(1), 127–137. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5688/ajpe7113
Korhonen, E. (2021, June 3). Research: What really happened to newspaper revenue? GoogleBlog. https://blog.google/around-the-globe/google-europe/research-what-really-happened-newspaper-revenue/
Kyamutetera, M. (2019). Ugandan newspapers struggle to attract readers; revenues decline as advertisers seek cheaper alternatives. Can our newspapers survive the next 10 years?
Lindner, J. (2023, December 20). Gitnux Marketdata Report 2024; Must-Know Newspaper Decline Statistics. https://www.google.com/search?q=15.+Lindner%2C+J.+(2023%2C+December+20) +. https://www.google.com/search?q=17.+Media+Council+of+Tanzania+%5BMCT%5D+(2022).+State+of+the+Media+in+Tanzania+2020-2021+Tanzania+2020 2021&gs_l.
Mahesha, D., & Veedhi, B.R.A. (2018). The Impact of Media Consumption on Social Behaviour and Attitudes. International Journal of Research and Analytical Reviews (IJRAR). 5 (1). 510-517. https://www.ijrar.org/papers/IJRAR19D5836.pdf.
Media Council of Tanzania [MCT] (2024). State of the Media in Tanzania in 2022-2023.
Media Council of Tanzania [MCT] (2019). State of the media in Tanzania (2017-2018 report).
https://mct.or.tz/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/State-Of-the-Media-in-Tanzania-2017-2018.pdf
Media Council of Tanzania [MCT] (2022). State of the media in Tanzania (2020-2021 report). https://mct.or.tz/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/State-of-The-Media-Report-2020-2021.pdf
Mzee, K. (2020, December 5). Mtanzania, Rai, Bingwa, Dimba kusitisha uzalishaji kwa muda. Mtanzania. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. https://www.google.com/search?q=19.+Mzee%2C+K.+(2020%2C+December+5).+Mtanzania%2C+Rai%2C+Bingwa%2C+Dimba+kusitisha+uzalishaji+kwa+muda.+Mtanzania.+Dar+es+Salaam%2C+Tanzania&oq-8.
Mwanzi, J.M & Zacharia, M. (2025). Bridging the Gap: Innovation and Platform Integration for Competitive News Gathering, Production, and Distribution in Tanzania’s Legacy Media. International Journal of Advanced Research (IJAR). 13 (10). 1606-1618.
Ndibinyane, N. (2020, May 29). Journalism in jeopardy: Mitigating the impact of COVID-19 on newspapers.
https://policycommons.net/artifacts/1443576/journalism-in-jeopardy/2075308/
Newspapers fact sheet. (2020). State of the News Media. https://www.journalism.org/fact-sheet/newspapers.
Nielsen, K.R. (2015). Local Journalism. The Decline of Newspapers and the Rise of Digital Media. I.B. Tauris & Co. Limited, London. https://www.google.com/search?q=22.+Nielsen%2C+K.R.+(2015).+Local+Journalism.+The+Decline+of+Newspapers+and+the+Rise+of+Digital+Media.+I.B.+Tauris+%26+Co.+Limited%2C+London.&oq=22.%09Nielsen%2C+K.R.+(2015=8 .
Pinem, M. S., U. (2023). The Shift from Print to Digital Media and Its Effect on Users' Media Literacy in Critiquing the Depth of News: A Systematic. Literature Review. Social and Educational Studies Journal. 2 (11). 1369-1382.
https://edunity.publikasikupublisher.com/index.php/Edunity/index
Powell, R. (2017). Unfinished Business: Tanzania’s Media Capture Challenges: In the Service of Power: Media Capture and the Threat to Democracy. Washington, DC: Centre for International Media Assistance. https://www.cima.ned.org/wp content/uploads/2015/02/Capture7Tanzania.pdf
Saragih, M. Y., & Harahap, A. I. (2020). The challenges of print media journalism in the digital era. Budapest International Research and Critics Institute, 3(1), 540-548.
Saxena, A. (2019). The Impact of Digital Media on Print Media. J.A. 8 (1).70-80. https://www.google.com/search?q=23.+Saxena%2C+A.+(2019).+The+Impact+of+Digital+Media+on+Print+Media.
Silaa, J. (2024, November 18). Media Stakeholders Meeting towards Local Government Elections 2024 and General Elections 2025. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. https://www.google.com/search?q=25.+Silaa%2C+J.+(2024%2C+November+18).+Media+Stakeholders+Meeting+towards+Local+Government+Elections+2024+and+General+Elections+2025.+Dar+es+Salaam%2C+Tanzania.
Spurk, C., & Katunzi, A. (2022). Year media quality in Tanzania: The state of journalism reporting in Tanzania. University of Dar es Salaam, School of Journalism and Mass Communication. https://www.google.com/search?q=26.+Spurk%2C+C.%2C+%26+Katunzi%2C+A.+(2022).+Year+media+quality+in+Tanzania%3A+The+state+of+journalism+reporting+in+Tanzania.+University+of+Dar+es+Salaam%2C+School+of+Journalism+and+Mass+Communication.
Spurk, C., & Katunzi, A. (2020). Yearbook on Media Quality in Tanzania 2019, Report. Dar es Salaam: University of Dar es Salaam, School of Journalism and Mass Communication. https://www.google.com/search?q=29.+Spurk%2C+C.%2C+%26+Katunzi%2C+A.+(2020).+Yearbook+on+Media+Quality+in+Tanzania+2019%2C+Report.+Dar+es+Salaam%3A+University+of+Dar+es+Salaam%2C+School+of+Journalism+and+Mass+Communication.&oq=29.%09Snia+2019%2C+Report.
Statista Research Department. (2020, November 25). Statistics and facts about printed media in Europe. Statista. https://www.statista.com/topics/4031/printed-media-in-europe.
Tahat, K., Mansoori, A., Tahat, D., Qablan, A., & Haddad, I. (2024). Analysing the newspapers’ coverage of Sustainable Development Goals in the UAE. Online Journal of Communication and Media Technologies, 14(3). DOI: https://doi.org/10.30935/ojcmt/14710.
Talabi, F.O, Adaja, T.A & Sarusi, B.O. (2024). Audit Bureau of Circulation of South Africa. (2020). Newspapers ABC Q4 2020: Last quarter for newspapers. https://www.google.com/search?q=41.+talabi%2C+f.o%2C+adaja%2C+t.a+%26+sarusi%2C+b.o.+(2024).+audit+bureau+of+circulation+of+south+africa.+(2020).+newspapers+abc+q4+2020%3A+lacklastre+quarter+for+newspapers-PDF&aqs=chrome.0.69i59j69i64.13600j0j15&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-
Tanikawa, M. (2017). What Is News? What Is the Newspaper? The Physical, Functional, and Stylistic Transformation of Print Newspapers, 1988–2013. International Journal of Communication 11(2017), 3519–3540. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/327176409_What_is_news_What_is_the_newspaper_The_physical_functional_and_stylistic_transformation_of_print_newspapers_1988-2013_International_Journal_of_Communication11_3519-3540.
Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority. (2024). Communications statistics: Quarter ending September 2024.Content Analysis of Newspaper Coverage of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Campaign. International Journal of Communication: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Communication Studies, No 24, June 2019. 23-33. https://www.google.com/search?q
Newman, N., Fletcher, R., Eddy, K., Robertson, C.T., & Nielsen, K.R. (2023). Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2023. https://static.poder360.com.br/2023/06/Digital-News-Report-Reuters-2023.pdf.