Government Alleges Unethical Reporting

DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA – The Tanzanian government on Sunday, November 23, 2025, forcefully condemned a report by international news network CNN detailing alleged police brutality and mass graves following the country's disputed October 29 general election. In a press conference held in Dar es Salaam, Chief Government Spokesperson Gerson Msigwa accused CNN and other international outlets, including the BBC and Al Jazeera, of biased, unethical reporting and waging “information warfare” intended to destabilize the nation.

Msigwa asserted that the CNN investigation, led by Kenyan journalist Larry Madowo, was “one-sided” and relied on unverified social media footage without seeking comment from Tanzanian authorities. "These outlets failed to seek out the government to hear the other side of the story. This was a very big mistake," Msigwa stated, according to multiple reports. He further claimed the negative coverage was a foreign-led campaign to sabotage Tanzania's economy and tourism sector.

The CNN Exposé and its Fallout

The controversy stems from a CNN documentary aired in November 2025 that investigated the violent aftermath of the election, in which incumbent President Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared the winner with 98% of the vote amid claims of electoral manipulation. The report presented geolocated videos, forensic audio analysis, and witness accounts alleging that security forces used live ammunition on largely unarmed protesters. It included graphic footage of overflowing morgues and satellite imagery showing disturbed soil at a cemetery near Dar es Salaam, which witnesses and human rights groups claimed were mass graves.

Prior to the government's sharp rebuke, on November 21, Msigwa had issued a more measured statement acknowledging the documentary and stating the government was “reviewing and verifying” its contents before issuing a comprehensive response. The shift in tone highlights the growing pressure on President Suluhu's administration, which has faced international scrutiny over the election and subsequent crackdown. The United Nations human rights office (OHCHR) reported on November 11 that it had received information about hundreds of protesters being killed and detained.

Regional Implications and Media Freedom Concerns

The dispute carries significant weight for Kenya and the broader East African region, where media freedom has been a persistent concern. The involvement of a prominent Kenyan journalist, Larry Madowo—who stated he was denied press accreditation to report from Tanzania—personalizes the issue for Kenyan audiences and media practitioners. In a show of solidarity, many Tanzanian citizens have reportedly changed their social media profile pictures to Madowo's image, indicating a divide between the government's position and public sentiment.

This incident occurs against a backdrop of complex Kenya-Tanzania relations, which have seen periods of both cooperation and tension, often related to trade disputes. How this media dispute is handled could influence diplomatic ties within the East African Community (EAC). Furthermore, human rights organizations in the region have warned that such a strong government reaction could create a “chilling effect” on journalists investigating sensitive topics. Kenyan activists have played a role in amplifying the voices of Tanzanian dissidents, using their relative freedom to broadcast information that was suppressed by internet shutdowns in Tanzania.

An Independent Inquiry Amidst Unrest

In response to the widespread unrest, President Suluhu has established a Commission of Inquiry, chaired by retired Chief Justice Mohamed Chande, to investigate the violence. However, opposition leaders and civil society groups continue to raise alarms over the scale of arrests and the use of force against demonstrators, with hundreds of opposition supporters reportedly facing treason charges. The government has acknowledged that acts of violence occurred, resulting in the deaths of civilians and police officers, but has condemned what it calls deliberate misreporting by international media. As the official inquiry proceeds, the starkly contrasting narratives of the Tanzanian government and international media outlets underscore the deep divisions and the ongoing struggle for transparency and accountability in the nation.