Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC) is the national public service broadcaster of the United Republic of Tanzania, established under the Public Corporation Act of 1992. It took its current form in 2007 following the merger of Radio Tanzania Dar es Salaam and Television ya Taifa (TVT). Today, TBC operates three television channels and four radio stations, offering a mix of news, education, and entertainment. In 2018, it launched a dedicated tourism channel aimed at promoting the country’s natural and cultural heritage—featuring content on wildlife, historical landmarks, marine parks, and cultural tourism.
Media assets
Television: TBC1, TBC2, Tanzania Safari Channel
Radio: TBC Taifa, TBC FM, TBC Arusha, TBC International
State Media Matrix Typology
Ownership and governance
TBC is wholly owned by the Government of Tanzania, with its shares held through the Treasury Registrar—a division of the Ministry of Finance. Governance is overseen by a board of directors appointed by the President upon recommendation from the Minister responsible for culture and information. While framed as a public service entity, its organizational and leadership structure places it firmly under government control.
On February 11, 2025, the Public Media Alliance reported that Parliament passed the Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation Bill, 2024, providing TBC with its first legislative mandate . The Act formalizes TBC’s mission, mandates the formation of an independent oversight board, and authorizes diversified revenue streams—including advertising and partnerships. It also tasks TBC with promoting Kiswahili globally .
Source of funding and budget
TBC receives the lion’s share of its funding from the state budget, which covers operational costs and infrastructure investments in broadcast reception. According to budget documents from the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Sports, TBC was allocated TZS 14 billion (approx. US$ 6 million) for the fiscal year 2021–2022. In a prior year (2020/2021), a supplementary allocation of TZS 12.5 billion (US$ 5.3 million) was granted to bolster its operations.
While TBC engages in commercial activities—such as advertising and content sales—local media experts estimate that these generate less than 50% of its income. Detailed financial statements remain undisclosed, leaving the broadcaster’s fiscal management largely opaque.
Editorial independence
Despite being labeled a public broadcaster, TBC functions as a de facto arm of the government, reflecting official positions and routinely avoiding criticism of state authorities. Several journalists and media experts argue that TBC’s editorial posture is more symbolic than substantive. One reporter described it as “camouflage,” noting that “as a government employee, you can’t report against the government anywhere.”
While TBC is formally mandated to operate with independence and impartiality—providing information, education, and entertainment in the public interest—these standards are not upheld in practice. The broadcaster lacks a statutory framework or internal charter that would guarantee editorial autonomy.
Moreover, no independent oversight body exists to monitor TBC’s compliance with its public service mandate or to evaluate its editorial performance. In effect, there are no institutional checks to safeguard against political interference.
June 2025