Zanzibar representatives press Govt over 20-year wait for media law
Zanzibar's House of Representatives has pressed the government to explain the two-decade delay in enacting the Information Services Bill, questioning its impact on journalists and seeking a commitment for its tabling. The Deputy Minister for Information stated the government is committed to passing the law during the current term, citing careful consideration of sector needs and stakeholder interests.
Why it matters
The prolonged delay in media legislation in Zanzibar affects press freedom, journalist welfare, and the regulation of the media sector, highlighting governance challenges and the importance of legal frameworks for information dissemination and public discourse.
Unguja. Members of the House of Representatives have pressed the Government to explain what is delaying the Information Services Bill, which has been awaited for more than 20 years without success.
The issue was raised on September 11, 2026, during the question-and-answer session of the House of Representatives meeting in Unguja, Zanzibar.
In his main question, Chambani Representative Mahomud Shineni Ali (ACT-Wazalendo) asked what was preventing the Government from presenting the Bill during the current term of the 11th House.
The representative also asked whether the Government had conducted an assessment to establish the impact of the absence of the law on the work of journalists, while seeking a commitment on when the Bill would be tabled before the House.
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