The Role of the Media Service Act, No.12 of 2016 in Preventing Cyber Defamation in Tanzania

Abstract

The Media Service Act, No.12 of 2016, is enacted with provisions for promotion of professionalism in the media industry, for establishment of the Journalists Accreditation Board, Independent Media Council and framework for regulation of media services and for other related matters. This paper provides a number of definitions of defamation as defined by many authors and it further provides for the position cyber defamation as described by the Act. For the purpose of this paper the term Act shall mean, “The Media Service Act, No.12 of 2016”.