CCM Leads Radio Mentions in Tanzania's 2024 Elections

CCM Candidates Dominate Radio Coverage in 2024 Local Elections

Wednesday, March 12, 2025

A recent study by the School of Journalism and Mass Communication (SJMC) has revealed that in the 2024 local government elections in Tanzania, candidates from the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party were mentioned significantly more in radio news reports compared to their counterparts from other political parties.

The research, titled Radio Stations’ Reporting on the 2024 Local Government Elections, found that CCM candidates were mentioned 55 times in radio coverage, far surpassing the mentions of candidates from ACT-Wazalendo, who were referenced only 13 times.

Findings from the SJMC Study

The study, the sixth in a series analyzing media performance in Tanzania, involved an assessment of 35 radio stations across five regions of mainland Tanzania. Presenting the findings at the University of Dar es Salaam’s library, lead researcher Dr. Malima Zacharia provided a detailed breakdown of political party mentions:

• CCM: 55 mentions

• Chadema: 53 mentions

• CUF: 14 mentions

• ACT-Wazalendo: 13 mentions

Beyond mere candidate mentions, the report highlighted a concerning trend in political reporting. About 70.2% of radio stations failed to reference political party manifestos when covering election-related news. Only 30% of the stations included party manifestos in their reporting.

Of the 248 election news reports analyzed:

• 15.3% made minor references to party manifestos

• 4% incorporated manifestos significantly

Dr. Zacharia emphasized the importance of referencing party manifestos in election coverage, stating, "Media houses have a duty to inform and educate the public about political platforms, ensuring voters make well-informed decisions."

Event-Driven vs. Investigative Reporting

The study also found that most radio newsrooms relied on institutional press briefings rather than proactive investigative journalism. Of the 628 election-related news reports analyzed:

• 63% were event-driven, covering official announcements and press releases

• 37% resulted from independent journalistic investigations

Dr. Zacharia called for a more investigative approach, urging media houses to proactively set the news agenda rather than merely reacting to institutional events.

Women’s Representation in Election Coverage

The study also highlighted a significant gender imbalance in media representation. Out of 990 radio reports examined, over half failed to include women as news sources.

Key statistics on gender representation in election coverage:

• 62% of reports featured male sources exclusively

• Only 22.8% included at least one female voice

Comparing these findings to previous studies, Dr. Zacharia noted, "Despite ongoing efforts, media representation of women as credible sources has not improved significantly."

Prof. Issa Shivji’s Perspective

Commenting on the report, renowned academic Prof. Issa Shivji criticized its narrow focus on campaign coverage, arguing that elections encompass multiple stages, including voter registration, polling, and vote tallying.

"If you only analyze campaign reporting, you miss critical aspects of the electoral process. The 2024 elections had numerous issues, but this study did not examine them in depth," Prof. Shivji stated.

He also referenced former Prime Minister Justice Joseph Warioba, who previously remarked that the 2024 local elections mirrored those of 2019, raising concerns about democratic progress. Additionally, Prof. Shivji pointed to reports from opposition parties alleging underage voters being registered, with some videos circulating online as evidence.

Media Industry Stakeholders Weigh In

Clouds Media Group Editor-in-Chief, Joyce Shebe, acknowledged the study’s findings, emphasizing the declining role of investigative journalism in Tanzanian media.

"Investigative journalism is fading because media houses lack resources and expertise. Traditionally, newsrooms had dedicated investigative desks, but financial constraints have made it difficult to sustain them," she said.

Dr. Elisha Magolanga, a lecturer at SJMC, attributed the challenges in journalism to broader issues in Tanzania’s education system.

"Students today focus on passing exams rather than learning to solve real-world problems. This affects the quality of journalists entering the industry," he noted.

He also criticized some media houses for charging aspiring journalists up to TZS 100,000 for internship opportunities, arguing that such practices undermine efforts to cultivate skilled professionals.

Youth Engagement in Political Reporting

In the same discussion, SJMC student Caroline Malewo expressed concern over the lack of youth engagement in political reporting.

"The way political news is presented does not attract young audiences. Media houses should integrate entertainment elements into news coverage to make political reporting more appealing," she suggested.

Conclusion

The findings of the SJMC study highlight critical gaps in election reporting, gender representation, and investigative journalism. As Tanzania progresses toward future elections, stakeholders urge media houses to adopt a more balanced, investigative, and inclusive approach to news coverage.