The Government of Tanzania has criticised global broadcaster CNN over what it terms an “unbalanced and unprofessional” investigative report on violence that followed the disputed October 29 election. According to Chief Government Spokesperson Gerson Msigwa, the state is currently verifying the claims made in the documentary, and a comprehensive official statement will be issued once the process is complete.
Msigwa said the government was reviewing allegations presented in the CNN investigation authored by Kenyan journalist Larry Madowo which documented alleged police shootings of unarmed protesters and claims of a mass gravesite where victims were reportedly buried to obscure the extent of the killings. He maintained that the report failed to meet professional journalistic standards.
“The CNN article covering events from October 29 did not adhere to professionalism or fairness. It is not true that CNN was unable to obtain the Government’s side of the story,” Msigwa told journalists. He added that it was disturbing to see a global media outlet publish a report he said lacked balance, especially during a period of national mourning and political tension.
Msigwa also criticised CNN’s use of graphic images of the deceased on social media platforms associated with the investigative piece, terming the publication of such visuals “unprofessional and unacceptable.” According to him, the reports risked misleading the public and fueling unnecessary anger at a time when the country needed calm.
Madowo, however, defended his reporting, noting earlier that he had attempted to cover the elections from inside Tanzania but was denied journalistic accreditation, barring him from entering the country during the polls.
Since the contentious election, Tanzania has been engulfed in turmoil, with protests sweeping major towns from early November. Opposition leaders have accused President Samia Suluhu of manipulating the electoral process, resulting in mass arrests and hundreds of treason charges against supporters.
In response to the unrest, the government has appointed a Commission of Inquiry led by retired Chief Justice Mohamed Chande to investigate the violence and address concerns raised by both local and international actors.
