Assessment of Electronic Media Laws in Enhancing Media Operation Services in Tanzania: A Case of Three Selected Media Laws

This study assessed the Electronic Media Laws in Tanzania and their impact on the enhancement of media operation services in the country. The study focuses on three selected media laws: the Media Service Act 2016, Electronic and Postal Communication Act 2010, and Cyber Crimes Act 2015. These laws have been in place for several years and are expected to improve the quality of media services by ensuring that they are conducted in a fair and ethical manner. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study was conducted in the Dar es Salaam and Mbeya regions of Tanzania, with a sample size of 80 participants, including members of the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), press clubs, and journalists. The study was guided by three research objectives: to identify the various laws used by the TCRA in regulating the communications sector, to examine the enforcement of selected media legislations and to assess the impact of these laws and regulations on media and the broader communication sector in Tanzania. The study employed a qualitative research design, using interviews and document analysis to collect data. The data collected were analysed using thematic analysis. The findings of the study revealed that the selected media laws have had a positive impact on the media industry in Tanzania by enhancing media operation services. Specifically, the Media Service Act 2016 has improved media ethics and professionalism, the Electronic and Postal Communication Act 2010 has enhanced the efficiency of media service delivery, and the Cyber Crimes Act 2015 has improved media security. The study concludes that the Electronic Media Laws in Tanzania have played a critical role in enhancing media operation services in the country.