Skip to main content

Tanzania

Volume 450: debated on Thursday 26 October 2006

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the Tanzanian media empire controlled by Reginald Mengi on the prospects for democracy, good governance and debt relief in Tanzania. (97387)

Reginald Mengi’s IPP Media Group owns a number of important media outlets in Tanzania. It is independent of government. There are many other media outlets in Tanzania not owned by the Group. These outlets, and the Group’s media activities, are part of an increasingly diverse and vigorous media sector in Tanzania. The independent media sector has a positive impact on the development of democracy and good governance in Tanzania. We are not aware that it has any impact on debt relief.

The Government believe the prospects for democracy, good governance and debt relief in Tanzania are good. President Kikwete has made clear he is committed to addressing poverty and promoting good governance and the UK will continue to support policies in this direction.