The role of party newspapers in mobilizing the masses in Tanzania

This article critically analyzes the role of the Party newspapers in mobilizing the masses in Tanzania. It examines the existence of mass mobilizing content in the papers by method of content analysis. Three criteria were used to evaluate the extent to which four major message types carried potentially-mobilizing content for a period of one year. The article also examines the extent to which the existing communications infrastructure in Tanzania supports the process of mass mobilization through the party newspapers and other print media. It was found that there was an insignificant amount (16%) of media content for mass mobilization in the Party papers. Also, the communications infrastructure in Tanzania further hampered the process of mass mobilization through the Party papers and other print media. The article recommends an integrative policy and planning approach for the entire information and communications industry in Tanzania to enhance the media's roles in mass mobilization for development.