From WhatsApp groups and X timelines to TikTok videos and Facebook pages, youth-driven content increasingly shapes national conversations, influences public opinion and amplifies political and social debate. The expansion has widened opportunities for participation, but it has also increased exposure to misinformation, hate speech and polarising narratives, raising concerns about social cohesion and stability.

Against this backdrop, Samwel Marwa, an assistant lecturer at the University of Dodoma and a mass communication specialist, is calling on journalists and digital creators to return to core professional ethics. Careless reporting and irresponsible online behaviour, he warned, risk undermining peace and national unity at a time of heightened public debate.

A single post can ignite controversy or deepen existing divisions, Marwa said, making Tanzania’s information space both powerful and fragile as young people remain its most active participants. The speed at which information moves, from social platforms into newsrooms and back again, means narratives can shape emotions before facts are established.

Ethical journalism, he argued, is no longer an ideal but a practical necessity. Accuracy and verification are “non-negotiable”, he said, cautioning that speculation and unverified claims, especially when amplified online, can trigger panic and confusion. Publishing uncertain information is not only unprofessional but potentially harmful.

Balance is equally central, Marwa said. Allegations involving government bodies, private organisations, civil society or religious institutions must be handled fairly, with all sides given a chance to respond. Hate speech based on religion, ethnicity, race or belief violates journalistic ethics and poses a direct threat to social cohesion, he added.

Media organisations have a responsibility to protect society rather than inflame it, including careful use of language, headlines and framing. Sensational or one-sided reporting can escalate disputes instead of helping to resolve them.

Marwa acknowledged that social media is now integral to the media ecosystem. While it has democratised publishing, it has blurred the line between professional journalism and casual content sharing. Many users, particularly young people, circulate information without verification, sometimes in disregard of existing laws such as the Electronic and Postal Communications Act and its regulations.

He also warned that some mainstream outlets amplify voices that have breached these laws, inadvertently lending legitimacy to misleading narratives. Social media itself is not the problem, he said; used responsibly, digital platforms can educate, counter misinformation and clarify sensitive issues. The deeper challenge is limited public capacity to assess credibility before sharing content.

Beyond ethics and regulation, Marwa urged leaders and institutions to listen more closely to young people online. Digital platforms have become spaces where youth articulate grievances and expectations. Ignoring these conversations, he said, leaves room for propaganda and distortion.

He encouraged young users to treat social media as a forum for constructive dialogue, allowing disagreement without hostility, avoiding hate speech and engaging leaders peacefully.

Similar views were expressed by senior diplomat Omar Mjenga, who called on editors to play a more assertive role in shaping debates around peace, unity and the public interest. Speaking at an editors’ seminar on the role of the media in safeguarding the Union, Mjenga urged journalists not to lower standards or retreat from responsibility.

“Be bold, but remember that unity is our pride,” he said, adding that editorial judgement is crucial to national security and that journalists must weigh when disclosure serves the public interest and when restraint is warranted. He also cautioned against collaborations with foreign counterparts that overlook national context and interests.

Political analyst Hamiduni Maliseli warned against mobilising young people, particularly through social media, without adequate civic education. Youth participation in public affairs is legitimate and necessary, he said, but should be grounded in democratic principles and an understanding of consequences.

“When discipline and peaceful conduct are lost, the cost is borne by the entire nation,” he said, calling for stronger civic education alongside political engagement.

For young citizens, the stakes are clear. Rahma Athumani, a student at the University of Dar es Salaam, urged her peers to exercise self-reflection and responsible decision-making, describing the moment as decisive for the country’s future. Peace, she said, underpins prosperity; conflict diverts scarce resources from development and social services.

Across these voices runs a shared conclusion: Tanzania’s digital information space cannot be ignored. In an age of unprecedented communicative power for youth, the challenge for journalists, citizens and leaders alike is to ensure that this power informs rather than inflames, connects rather than divides, and strengthens, rather than erodes, the peace on which national progress depends.

Notes to Editors

·       Young people are the most active participants in Tanzania’s digital information space, shaping public opinion through social media platforms such as WhatsApp, X, TikTok and Facebook.

·       Media experts and analysts warn that misinformation, hate speech and unverified reporting pose risks to peace, social cohesion and national unity if not addressed responsibly.

·       Calls have been made for stronger ethical journalism, responsible digital citizenship and enhanced civic education to ensure online engagement contributes positively to democratic discourse and national development.

Media Contact:
Information Services Department and Office of The Chief Government Spokesman
E-mail: maelezotv@gmail.com
Phone: +255 754 750 765
Availability: EAT, UTC +3

ENDS