Non-statutory mechanisms

The Media Council of Tanzania is a voluntary non-statutory body that comprises academics, businesspeople, and prominent citizens chosen by journalists. Under the 2003 media policy document this Council is left to continue dealing with complaints and promoting ethics. But the Media Services Bill of 2007 sidelines the Council, in favour of the statutory Media Services Board.

In 2002 the Media Council of Tanzania called for the repeal of several laws that restrict press freedom, including the National Security Act, which essentially gives the government absolute power to define what information can be disclosed to the public, and the Broadcasting Services Act of 1993, described as empowering the government to directly regulate the media.