In the wake of Tanzania’s October 29, 2025, election protests, a heated dispute has erupted between the Tanzanian government and several prominent international media organizations, including CNN, BBC, Al Jazeera, and Deutsche Welle. At the heart of the controversy are allegations of biased reporting, unverified claims, and a broader battle over the country’s image on the global stage.
On November 23, 2025, Government Spokesperson Gerson Msigwa convened a press conference at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre in Dar es Salaam. His message was clear and forceful: international broadcasters, especially CNN, had published “biased and unverified reports aimed at damaging the country’s image in the wake of last month’s protests.” According to Msigwa, such reporting relied heavily on unverified mobile-phone footage and failed to seek the official government position, a lapse he considered unacceptable, particularly as the country grapples with the aftermath of election-related violence.
Msigwa’s criticism did not stop at CNN. He called on all international media covering Tanzania to “publish facts that are verified,” urging them to adhere to the core journalistic standards of fairness, accuracy, and balance. He was especially troubled by what he described as the “broadcasting of disturbing images without context,” warning that this could prejudice the ongoing independent Commission of Inquiry into the October 29 protests. This Commission, led by retired Chief Justice Mohamed Chande Othman, was sworn in on November 20, 2025, and is tasked with investigating the violence and its causes.
Yet, the government’s reassurances have been met with skepticism from the opposition. The main opposition party, Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA), has dismissed the Commission as little more than a “washing machine where the government damps its dirty linen for cleaning.” This sentiment reflects a deep mistrust of official processes among government critics, who see the Commission as a means to deflect international scrutiny rather than deliver accountability.
Msigwa, for his part, emphasized that the government was not seeking to restrict foreign media. “We are not saying that we want to bribe scribes, but rather, we appreciate the work of local journalists in the midst of the recent protests,” he said. He praised Tanzanian reporters for their “responsible coverage,” claiming that they had helped protect the country’s reputation while maintaining professionalism. In contrast, he accused some foreign outlets of deliberate “weaponisation of narrative,” designed to deter tourists and investors and undermine national stability. “They want Tanzania’s downfall so that our competitors can overtake us,” he warned, calling on citizens to unite behind the country’s development goals.
The government’s media offensive comes amid ongoing international scrutiny. A CNN investigative report, authored by Kenyan journalist Larry Madowo, documented alleged police shootings of unarmed protesters and included claims of a mass gravesite used to conceal the extent of the killings. Madowo, who was denied journalistic accreditation to cover the Tanzanian elections in person, defended his reporting, stating on social media that he had attempted to obtain the government’s side but was rebuffed. Msigwa, however, insisted, “It is not true that CNN was unable to get the Government’s side of the issue in all the reports they are releasing.” He further stated, “It is disturbing to see a media house like CNN could make such a mistake. The Tanzanian government is urging CNN to abide by journalism ethics and standards.”
Msigwa also criticized the repeated use of graphic images of the dead on social media platforms linked to the CNN documentary, terming it “unprofessional and unacceptable.” He argued that such content “misleads and creates unnecessary tension,” especially at a time when the country is coping with loss and instability. “We were all shocked by the deaths. I am not saying I am unmoved by the tragedy, but why prepare a one-sided report that adds pain and fuels anger?” he posed to the assembled journalists.
The government has promised a comprehensive official statement once its review of the CNN report is complete. In the meantime, Msigwa has urged all journalists—foreign and local alike—to “verify your facts, avoid bias, check your sources and be wary of those unnamed sources. Who are those unnamed sources?” he asked pointedly, insisting that journalists focus on development journalism and uphold the tenets of fairness, accuracy, and accountability.
Beyond the media spat, the government has also sought to shift the national conversation toward economic achievements. Msigwa highlighted several major infrastructure projects, including the operational standard-gauge electric railway and new monorail projects in urban areas. He also pointed to the expanding capacity of the Dar es Salaam Port, now in partnership with DP World, with annual cargo handling projected to rise from 32 million tonnes to 50 million tonnes by 2029. Uganda’s transit traffic through Tanzanian ports, he noted, is expected to leap from 3% to 38%. Construction of the new Bagamoyo Port is scheduled to begin in December 2025, and work has already started at Kigoma. The government aims to welcome eight million tourists annually by 2030—a bold target given recent events.
Still, political tensions remain high. The October 2025 elections unfolded under a cloud of controversy, with President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s two main opponents barred from contesting. Tundu Lissu of CHADEMA has been incarcerated since April 2025 on treason charges, while Luhaga Mpina of ACT-Wazalendo was disqualified over what officials called a technicality. President Hassan’s victory—an astonishing 97.66% of the vote, the highest margin in Tanzania’s history—has only fueled allegations of an unfair process. Since the disputed results, protests have erupted in major towns, leading to mass arrests and hundreds of treason charges against opposition supporters.
As the country approaches its Independence Day celebrations on December 9, 2025, Msigwa has urged Tanzanian youth, particularly Gen-Zs, to resist the temptation to return to the streets. He stressed President Hassan’s commitment to dialogue and addressing citizens’ concerns, while also warning against further unrest. “Tanzanians want peace, they want a country that looks into their issues,” he said, reaffirming the government’s desire for stability and development.
For now, the eyes of both the nation and the world remain fixed on Tanzania. As the Commission of Inquiry begins its work and the government continues its public relations campaign, the tension between official narratives and independent reporting shows no signs of abating. The coming weeks will reveal whether dialogue and inquiry can bridge the gap—or whether the struggle over Tanzania’s story will only deepen.