Media monitoring has been a core activity of the Council and thus it was found
to be prudent for it to specifically monitor general election slated for October 25,
2015. A number of national print and electronic media outlets were sampled for
this exercise. Sampled newspapers for this Project are Zanzibar Leo, Daily News
and Sunday News, The Guardian, The Citizen, Habari Leo, Nipashe, Mwananchi,
Uhuru and Mzalendo, Tanzania Daima, Mtanzania, Rai Tanzania, Jambo Leo, and
Majira whereas electronic media outlets sampled are Star TV, TBC 1, ITV, Radio
One, TBC Taifa, Clouds, Radio Free Africa.
On the electronic media outlets chosen, only sampled news bulletins were
monitored. For Star TV, ITV, TBC1, Radio Free Africa and Radio One, their 20h00
news bulletins were monitored whereas that of TBC Taifa the 13h00 news bulletin
was monitored.
Regarding Zanzibar 2015 elections coverage, media monitoring focused on how
its election process was covered by all sampled national newspapers, as well as
monitored news aired on ZBC TV and Radio Zenj FM, and Hits FM. It was
decided so from the fact that Zanzibar, to a larger extent, depends on the print
media based on the Mainland. This monitoring report is the third in this Project,
covering September 18 up to 24, 2015.
2015 Elections Media Monitoring Report Period: September 18 – 24, 2015
Introduction Media monitoring has been a core activity of the Council and thus it was found to be prudent for it to specifically monitor general election slated for October 25, 2015. A number of national print and electronic media outlets were sampled for this exercise. Sampled newspapers for this Project are Zanzibar Leo, Daily News and Sunday News, The Guardian, The Citizen, Habari Leo, Nipashe, Mwananchi, Uhuru and Mzalendo, Tanzania Daima, Mtanzania, Rai Tanzania, Jambo Leo, and Majira whereas electronic media outlets sampled are Star TV, TBC 1, ITV, Radio One, TBC Taifa, Clouds, Radio Free Africa.
On the electronic media outlets chosen, only sampled news bulletins were monitored. For Star TV, ITV, TBC1, Radio Free Africa and Radio One, their 20h00 news bulletins were monitored whereas that of TBC Taifa the 13h00 news bulletin was monitored.
Regarding Zanzibar 2015 elections coverage, media monitoring focused on how its election process was covered by all sampled national newspapers, as well as monitored news aired on ZBC TV and Radio Zenj FM, and Hits FM. It was decided so from the fact that Zanzibar, to a larger extent, depends on the print media based on the Mainland. This monitoring report is the third in this Project, covering September 18 up to 24, 2015.
In Zanzibar sampled news bulletins for the ZBC TV, and ZBC Radio were of 20h:15 and 19h00 respectively. The news bulletins of Hits FM of 21h00 and that of Zenj FM 15h00 were also monitored.
Three cross-cutting issues of the constitution, corruption and gender are also monitored in the context of the election reportage.
Print Media Report
Impartiality
Uhuru and Mzalendo
The two CCM owned newspapers covered 55 election articles, as expected according CCM candidates more prominence compared to the other political parties contesting for 2015 elections.
For example, Uhuru and Mzalendo published twelve (12) election stories on its front page during the period under review, awarding 10 articles (83%) to CCM election campaigns.
At the same time, Chadema/Ukawa received two (2), equal to 17% on the front page of these newspapers. Even so, all the 2 news stories given to the opposition were largely of negative orientation, while those for CCM were of positive orientation.
“Lowassa jiondoe” with kickers: “Bulembo asema ameshindwa kufanya kampeni” (Lowassa should pull out of presidential race: Bulembo says he has failed to conduct campaigns, and “Magufuli aahidi kuboresha maslahi ya wafanyakazi” (Magufuli to improve the welfare of workers).
This is a contrasting case of content whereby coverage for Chadema is given the taste of negative orientation while CCM would be touted in the positive manner.
Professionalism
Most of the election stories published by Uhuru and Mzalendo newspapers were reported from CCM campaign rallies.. CCM was hugely quoted with 24 sources, Chadema 16 sources, NEC 6 sources, CUF 5 sources, NCCR Mageuzi had 4 sources, police sources were 4 and ordinary voices only 3. Twenty three (23), equal to 43% of monitored stories were balanced and remaining 32 were based on single sources.
Public Exposure to Issues
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Election campaigns reported by Uhuru include need for economic improvement of the country, solving land disputes, poverty eradication and provision of social services. Also, Uhuru and Mzalendo newspapers reported on cross cutting issues of constitution, gender and corruption whereby only 3% of election stories reflected on constitutional reform issues, 8% on corruption practices and 4% of stories on gender issues while the remaining 85% went to other campaign issues.
Daily News and Sunday News
Impartiality
Forty two (42) election articles were monitored from the two government owned sister newspapers. Both the Daily News and Sunday News favored CCM candidates by giving them more prominence in terms of space and placement especially on front page content allocation.
Out of 42 articles, CCM had 16 articles (38%), Chadema 11 (26%), ACT- Wazalendo 4( 10%), CUF 5 ( 12%), NCCR 3 ( 7%) and UDP got 1( 2%).
Example, the Daily News of September 23, 2015 on front page carried two CCM election campaign stories with the following headlines: “CCM most popular, survey says” and “Free movement of people, goods on Magufuli plan” while on September 20, 2015 Sunday News front page carried one (1) CCM pictorial content while carrying a negatively oriented single story on Ukawa election campaigns with the headline “Coalition of opposition parties still bickering” where it was reported that all is not well in Ukawa.
However, Daily News of September 21, 2015 showcased objectivity and maturity in reporting 2015 elections by affording fair space and page placement priority to both CCM and Chadema.
The front of that edition carried two election news articles reflecting both CCM and Chadema campaign struggles, one with the headline “Magufuli for full tax compliance” and the other one headlined “Better social services in Dar on Lowassa plan”. On the same front page, the photograph of Chadema’s presidential candidate Edward Lowassa while on campaign rally at Chanika in Dar es
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Salaam was published and two photos in combo showing supporters cheering him.
Professionalism
Twenty two (51%) of the 42 election stories published by Daily News and Sunday News during the period under review had shown objectivity by efforts to seek alternative sources to balance content.
Public Exposure to Issues
Issues of corruption and constitutional reform issues were not reflected on election content carried. However, gender issues in relation to elections were given prominence.
The Daily News through its special pull out, Women Magazine of September 24, 2015, profiled ACT-Wazalendo presidential candidate Anna Mghwira with the headline: “Anna Mghwira: Tanzania’s sole female presidential candidate”. During the whole period, only 1 (3%) was reported on corruption, 2 (4%) on constitutional reforms, while 3 (6%) were on gender issues.
The remaining 87% covered different campaign issues like land, water, electricity, economy, industries, leadership and infrastructure.
Habari Leo
Impartiality
Out of 38 articles on 2015 elections monitored from Habari Leo newspaper, 14 articles were published front page, with obvious bias on CCM campaigns which was afforded 8 articles (57%) front page visibility.
The main rival Chadema from the Ukawa Coalition was given three articles 3 (22%) followed by UDP with 1 (7%), ACT-Wazalendo 1 (7%), and NEC 1 (7%). There was no content with hate speech or spin monitored in Habari Leo during the week under review.
Professionalism
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Sixty five percent (65%) of the thirty eight (38) monitored stories in Habari Leo were balanced and supported with multiple sources. The rest were mainly based on single sources.
Public Exposure to Issues
Content mainly reflected candidates with pledges to improve provision of social services like health, education, solving issues of land disputes, agriculture, building infrastructure and reviving local industry.
In addition, Habari Leo reported corruption and gender issues in the context of the 2015 elections, but little on constitutional reform matters. Eleven articles (11) monitored were on corruption issues, 6 articles reported on gender and only 3 were on constitution.
Raia Tanzania and Raia Mwema
Impartiality
Total of 30 articles on elections were monitored from the two sister newspapers. However, Raia Tanzania of September 19, 2015 published on page 5 “CUF: CCM ina chuki na Lindi, Mtwara” meaning CUF: CCM hates Lindi, Mtwara, arguing that this is evident from facts on the ground that for many years those regions have not benefitted from any significant public investment by CCM-led governments. This story carries serious allegations against CCM so that it deserved right of reply from CCM quarters to neutralize any apparent bias. The story remained one-sided to the finishing line, something which may unfairly inform on audiences.
Professionalism
With the exception of the example cited above, Raia Tanzania and Raia Mwema to a large extent adhered to the professional code of conduct. 65% out of 30 monitored stories were balanced. The main rival parties in the October 25 General Election, CCM and Chadema, received equitable distribution of their campaign news on front page.
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Public Exposure to Issues
Five stories (17%) reflected issues on gender, 4 stories (13%) on corruption 3 (10%) on constitution 3 (10%). The rest of the coverage focused on land disputes, economy and infrastructure.
The Citizen newspaper
Impartiality
During the week under review, The Citizen newspaper published 51 news stories on 2015 elections. It maintained impartiality on content and space allocation.
An exemplary show of editorial neutrality is found on its September 23, 2015 edition, covering results of an opinion poll undertaken by Twaweza showing Magufuli holding a comfortable lead over Lowassa.
The Citizen editorial team allocated four (4) full pages (from front page-to-fourth) on the announced opinion poll, apparently perceived to be a defining event, likely to influence 2015 elections in all manner of ways. Moreover, the leading front page story is not pegged on what the survey claims to be the winner (CCM), but on the reactions of the purported loser, Chadema-Ukawa presidential candidate. It reads: Ukawa disputes Magufuli lead in presidential poll: The rest of front page content is flooded with bar charts clarifying survey results, photos of presidential candidates and highlights from independent sources consulted to comment on the opinion poll results.
All related stories are published from the second page, fairly leading with Twaweza’s announced results with headline Magufuli leads in new poll. The second lead story on page two, definitely an extensive rejoinder to the results, was headlined Strong reaction as Twaweza poll shows Lowassa trailing is given similar weight and elaborate content clarity.
To put this observation in context, five (5) Ukawa-Chadema sources, including its presidential hopeful Lowassa, were contacted for comment. In addition, three (3) independent sources spoke on the opinion poll results. Even a CCM source was consulted to provide their view over the same results.
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This is followed by half-page three commentary content about opinion polls generally and more clarifications on Twaweza’s results. Page four (4) contained three different articles on Twaweza poll: a vox pop which also had women vices; a reporters’ survey of peoples’ comments on Twaweza findings, and social media explosion over the same. It was indeed an exhibition of good journalism and news management.
The Citizen newspaper also provided equitable coverage to other not so powerful parties. For example, on same September 23, 2015 edition on page 22, it provided space to four political parties which carried a headline Presidential candidates of four parties explain their strategies whereby equal space was provided to those political parties to elaborate on their campaign manifestos and pledges. The parties that were given this platform are ACT-Wazalendo, CCM, Chadema, and CHAUMMA.
The Citizen avoided, even by insinuation, carrying content with personal attacks, hate speech, spin, or any biased negative orientation against any contending political party or candidate.
Professionalism
During this period monitoring period, 50 stories which is equal to 98 per cent of the total stories monitored as published by The Citizen newspaper were accurate and balanced, and often supported by multiple sources. The coverage of Twaweza opinion poll on September 23, 2015 already analyzed above on the impartiality sub-head provides adequate testimony.
The Citizen newspaper had also shown its professional ability to turn campaign propaganda into news stories. For example, in its edition of September 22, 2015, it carried a story headlined Free education pledges ‘an election gimmick’ whose content reflects on the different stakeholders’ viewpoints regarding the plethora of pledges for free education being touted by different presidential candidates.
Public Exposure to issues
Thirteen 13 news stories, equal to 25% of the election content reflected campaign issues and included infrastructure, agriculture, provision of clean water, gas and
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oil. These issues were occasionally presented in the context of need to implement constitutional reforms seriously.
Mwananchi newspaper
Impartiality
Mwananchi newspaper published 77 election stories, avoiding undue bias, covering 2015 elections as objectively as possible. The main rival parties, CCM and Chadema staged more election campaigns. Yet, smaller parties were also equitably given space. Ukawa was granted 33 election stories (43%) coverage while CCM had 31 news articles (41%), CHAUMMA got 7 stories (9%) and UPDP was given 3 stories (5%). NRA got 2 stories (2%).
For example, on September 22, 2015 Mwananchi newspaper covered a presidential rally that was held in Mwanza region by CHAUMMA carrying the headline: “CHAUMMA waahidi viwanda kila mkoa” which literally translates as Chaumma promises industrialization across regions.
On gender, Mwananchi covered obstacles facing women in pastoralist societies on their effective participation in 2015 elections. On September 23, 2015 an article was published which was headed “Rushwa, mfumo dume kikwazo cha ushiriki jamii za wafugaji” (How corruption, patriarchy impede on women participation). Women voices were also included in vox pops that were carried by Mwananchi.
Professionalism
During this monitoring period, 74 stories which is equal to 96% of election stories covered by Mwananchi were accurate and balanced, with multiple sources. Effort was also made to turn propaganda into news stories. For example, on September 23, 2015 an article was published which carried a headline “Ndoto za wagombea urais” (The wish list of presidential hopefuls). Content reflected editor’s critical analysis over the efficacy of the endless promises being fronted by presidential candidates during their campaigns.
Public Exposure to issues
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43% of all election stories that were covered include issues of infrastructure development; agriculture, provision of clean water. Corruption was also reported in the context of 2015 election campaigns.
Tanzania Daima newspaper
Impartiality
Tanzania Daima newspaper published 42 stories on 2015 elections. During the period under review, Tanzania Daima newspapers leaned towards Ukawa by affording it 27 news coverage (65%) while CCM was given 13 news articles only, representing 31%. On the other hand, CHAUMMA was given 2 stories, equal to 4%.
Election news on CCM party and candidates would generally take negative orientation. For instance, Tanzania Daima newspaper, without recourse to balance, negatively and wholly dismissed Twaweza opinion poll survey. On September 23, 2015, the newspaper carried a story with on front page headlined: “Goli la Mkono” which literally “Handball goal” whereby, content partly reported: “Hata hivyo saa chache tangu kutolewa kwake, utafiti huo ulikumbana na upinzani mkali kutoka kwa watu wa rika mbalimbali ambao walisema unapaswa kupuuzwa kwani una ajenda ya siri dhidi ya upinzani nchini” which literally means “However, a few hours after its release, the study was plagued by severe opposition from people of different age groups who said they would ignore it because it has a hidden agenda against the opposition”
Personal attack content in the context of 2015 elections was also monitored in Tanzania Daima newspaper, where by 4 stories (10%) of its election stories was directly attacking the personality of CCM presidential candidate. For example, on September 20, 2014 page 8, it published a column which carried a headline “Magufuli hatoshi kuwa rais” which literally meant “Magufuli unfit for the presidency”. Content unfairly attacked him personally. “Rais anatakiwa kuwa mwanadiplomasia mzuri ili aiunganishe nchi yake na majirani, kwa kutimiza uwezo wa maarifa aliyonayo na vipawa vingine vya ziada. Sifa hii Magufuli hana.” which literally meant “The president is supposed to be a good diplomat in order to ensure co-existence
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with neighbors, using endowed skills and supplementary talents. Magufuli is lacking all these qualities”.
Professionalism
During the period under review, Tanzania Daima 35 stories (63%) were accurate, but 98% of it were based on single sources.
Most of the headlines placed by Tanzania Daima newspaper on front page concerning CCM campaigns were negatively oriented but those on Ukawa would be positive. For example on September 22, 2015 Tanzania Daima had a story with the headline “CCM kwenda likizo ya lazima” which translates as “CCM must be sent on leave”. This story was covered during Ukawa’s fundraising to support ongoing election campaigns. No effective effort was made to turn campaign propaganda into news stories.
Public Exposure to issues
29% of all stories that were covered includes issues on infrastructure development, agriculture, provision of clean water as well as corruption in the context of 2015 elections.
Jambo leo newspaper
Impartiality
Jambo Leo newspaper published 59 election news stories, most of them leaning towards CCM political party. CCM was given 32 news items (55%) while Ukawa offered 14 stories (24%) and ACT-Wazalendo granted 9 stories (15%) while UPDP and NRA had 1 story each (2%).
Personal attack, spin and hate speech was not spotted during the monitoring exercise. Yet, whenever coverage of Ukawa was given front page status, it was of negative orientation.
Gendered content was evident on of September 23, 2015 Jambo Leo newspaper profiled Anne Kilango Malecela, the parliamentary aspirant for Same constituency on CCM docket.
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