Broadcasters, couriers on the spot over quality compliance

Dar es Salaam. The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) recently warned broadcasters, as well as postal and courier service providers, about widespread failures to meet regulatory standards in their daily operations.

This follows concerns that most broadcasters that air content nationally and cargo and parcel transporters do not adhere to programme scheduling and timely delivery of services, respectively.

The TCRA’s warning is contained in the latest Communications Statistics Report for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, which evaluates performance for the first quarter of the 2024/25 financial year.

The report assesses the quality of service (QoS) based on the parameters established in the Electronic and Postal Communications (Quality of Service) Regulations, 2018.

It covers various sectors, including telecommunications, mobile money, internet, broadcasting and postal services.

The monitoring of content for national broadcasters revealed significant compliance issues.

While 12 out of 16 television stations that broadcast nationally submitted their programme lineups, only five adhered to the schedules.

Similarly, seven of the 11 radio stations with national coverage submitted their lineups, but just six were in compliance.

Compliance criteria included a 90-minute news presentation requirement, programme diversity, educational content and maintaining at least 60 percent local content in broadcasts.

In the postal and courier industries, TCRA’s QoS tests indicated that only seven out of 19 service providers met the required delivery timeframes.

This raises concerns about the reliability of these services, which are essential for both personal and business communications.

“TCRA has taken and will continue to take regulatory measures against all licensees who fail to comply with Quality of Service parameters as provided in the Electronic and Postal Communications (Quality of Service) Regulations, 2018,” the report says.

However, the authority commended broadcasters for their efforts and adherence to programme diversity, 60 percent local content, relevance to society and language (Kiswahili and English) in their programming and broadcasts.

Generally, the report indicates a positive trend in the communications sector, with a marked increase in the adoption of various services, attributed to healthy competition among providers.

Notably, mobile network coverage has expanded significantly, with 3G reaching 90 percent of the population and 4G covering 85 percent, thus enhancing access to data services.

Additionally, FM radio signals cover 78 percent of the population, while Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) reaches 58 percent.

“This growth reflects the sector’s dynamic evolution in response to user demands,” the report says.

“These improvements are crucial for fostering a more connected and digitally empowered society.”

A lecturer at the University of Dar es Salaam’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Dr Egbert Mkoko, highlighted challenges broadcasters are facing, noting that routinely failing to adhere to programme schedules could alienate audiences and advertisers.

Dr Mkoko attributed these issues to presenters not using scripts, leading to lengthy discussions or abrupt end to programmes.

“TCRA needs to enhance oversight by conducting compliance tours to address these challenges effectively,” he suggested.

Dr Mkoko said advertisers are keenly aware of their target audiences and that deviations from scheduled slots could erode trust and lead them to seek alternative outlets, ultimately impacting revenue.

Dr Dotto Bulendu from the Saint Augustine University of Tanzania (Saut) criticised the current state of local radio.

He observed that many programmes begin late and that media owners often employ as presenters celebrities or comedians, who lack the necessary understanding of radio programming, adding that this affects content quality of content and misaligns with prime-time audiences.

“As we move forward, the lack of adherence to basic journalism principles may result in content that fails to serve community needs, leading to decreased viewership,” Dr Bulendu warned.

He stressed the importance of following best practices to meet established criteria and engage audiences effectively.