Tanzania has made significant progress in international press freedom rankings, moving up from 97th place in 2024 to 95th place in 2025.
According to the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) report released on May 2, 2025, while Tanzania has improved its position by two spots, its overall score has slightly decreased from 54.80 in 2024 to 53.68 this year.
The annual report highlights that Tanzania's rise in ranking can be attributed to several actions taken by the government and media stakeholders to improve working conditions for journalists and strengthen press freedom.
Key measures that have contributed to this improvement include reviews of media-related laws, such as the 2016 Media Services Act, with amendments aimed at eliminating restrictive provisions and creating a more conducive environment for journalists to operate.
Additionally, the government’s efforts to enhance communication with the media through open dialogue platforms have played a crucial role in building trust and fostering greater transparency in information access.
Moreover, the government has shown a strong commitment to protecting fundamental rights, including the right to access information and freedom of expression. These actions have helped to improve Tanzania’s reputation on the global stage.
The RSF report evaluates press freedom in 180 countries based on five key criteria: political environment, legal framework, economic conditions, social factors, and the safety of journalists.