Tanzania faults CNN over ‘unbalanced’ reporting on election violence

Chief Government Spokesperson and Secretary General of the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Gerson Msigwa/FILE

Tanzania has said that verification of a CNN investigative report on violence that occurred during and after October 29 is still ongoing, and a comprehensive official statement will be issued once the process is complete.

Chief Government Spokesperson and Secretary General of the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Gerson Msigwa, told journalists that the government was reviewing the claims made in the report, insisting that the network failed to follow professional journalistic standards. 

Msigwa argued that the article—authored by Kenyan journalist Larry Madowo—did not demonstrate fairness, claiming it did not sufficiently include the Government’s version of events.

“The CNN article covering events in Tanzania from October 29, 2025, did not adhere to professionalism or fairness. It is not true that CNN was unable to get the Government’s side of the issue in all the reports they are releasing,” Msigwa said.

He expressed concern that a global media outlet such as CNN could “make such a mistake,” adding that Tanzania expects international broadcasters to uphold ethical standards, especially in times of crisis.

“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,” he said.

Msigwa further accused the network of releasing reports that “mislead and create 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.

He criticised the repeated use of graphic images of the dead on social media platforms linked to the documentary, terming it “unprofessional and unacceptable.”

The CNN investigation, led by Madowo, documented alleged police shootings of unarmed protesters during the post-election unrest. 

The report also featured claims of a mass gravesite where victims of police brutality were allegedly buried to conceal the scale of the killings.

Madowo has defended his reporting, stating earlier on social media that he had attempted to cover the Tanzanian elections in person but was denied journalistic accreditation.

As a result, he was unable to enter the country as a reporter at the time of the polls.

Since the disputed October 29 election, Tanzania has been gripped by turmoil, with protests erupting in major towns from early November.

Opposition leaders have accused President Samia Suluhu of manipulating the electoral process, leading to mass arrests and hundreds of treason charges against their supporters.

In response to the unrest, the Tanzanian government recently appointed a Commission of Inquiry led by retired Chief Justice Mohamed Chande to investigate the violence and broader concerns raised by both local and international actors.