Larry Madowo explains why he is not covering Tanzania elections
By Paulette Mboga, October 30, 2025Journalist Larry Madowo has explained why he is not covering the ongoing elections in Tanzania, saying the country’s government does not allow independent reporting.
In a video shared online on Thursday, October 30, 2025, Madowo said that as a foreign journalist, he is required to get government permission before working in Tanzania, but such permits are rarely issued.
“Why am I not covering the elections in Tanzania? It is a simple reason, Tanzania does not like independent, critical reporting,” he said. Madowo added that foreign journalists must have media accreditation to operate in the country, but getting it has always been a challenge.
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Strict media restrictions
“To operate in the country as a foreigner, I need media accreditation, so essentially, permission from the government, and historically, Tanzania does not issue these permits,” he explained. The CNN journalist said the situation was difficult even under the late President John Magufuli and has not improved under President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
He added that while he could technically travel to Tanzania as a tourist without needing a visa, doing so would not allow him to report on the elections legally.
“Could I go as a tourist because I don’t need a visa as a Kenyan? Yes. But I am not allowed to report in that status. I would violate the law,” Madowo said. “I could be arrested, deported, or worse. And we know what Tanzania does to people they don’t like,” he added.
Madowo said that even local journalists in Tanzania face constant intimidation and harassment when covering sensitive issues. “Even Tanzanian journalists find it hard to operate. They are harassed, they are intimidated,” he said. He noted that many of his colleagues from other international media outlets have faced the same challenge of being denied accreditation or ignored after applying.
“I know many foreign reporters who applied for accreditation, but they were rejected, or they did not hear back,” Madowo revealed. His remarks come as the East African nation holds tense presidential elections that have drawn international attention.