Tanzania’s Chande Commission Raises Concerns Over Media Access and Transparency. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania — The Commission of Inquiry led by retired Chief Justice Mohammed Chande Othman has sparked debate over media access and transparency in Tanzania.
The commission, established to investigate events following the October 29, 2025, elections, has notably restricted media access to testimonies, raising concerns among journalists, lawyers, and civil society.
Historically, Tanzania’s public commissions of inquiry have served as a platform for both legal proceedings and newsgathering, providing journalists with the opportunity to report on sensitive testimonies.
However, the Chande Commission’s decision to hold many testimonies in private sessions has altered this dynamic. Officials argue that the restrictions are necessary to ensure witness safety and encourage more candid testimonies.
Officials commented on the matter. “
Witnesses would be more forthcoming without cameras, headlines, or public pressure.”Critics, however, argue that the restrictions undermine the public’s right to know and the role of the press in holding authorities accountable.
Azaveli Lwaitama, a political analyst.
The commission’s composition has also been scrutinized. While Justice Chande is respected for his judicial career, concerns have been raised about the independence of a commission appointed by the executive branch.
The Tanganyika Law Society (TLS) has called for judicial inquests in cases involving suspicious deaths, arguing that commissions cannot replace these inquiries, which operate under more explicit evidentiary rules.
As the commission continues its work, the debate over access and transparency remains a focal point. Social media has emerged as a platform for amplifying testimonies and speculation, while a sense of fatigue and disengagement has taken hold among some Tanzanians.
The commission’s final report could either provide a rigorous account of the events or deepen cynicism about the pursuit of truth. For journalists, the lack of access to testimonies has limited their ability to report comprehensively. “It is a test of whether institutions can absorb criticism and still speak plainly.”.
Further details are expected as the commission progresses.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
