Abstract

The paper seeks to analyze the electronic and postal communication (online content) Regulation, 2020 together with its amendment recognized as Electronic and Postal Communication (online content) Regulation (Amendment).¹ Freedom of expression is exercised either offline or online because of the development of science and technology which assert the use of the Internet. However, the right needs to be balanced with other issues including the protection of the rights of others, the protection of national health, and for security and interest of the general public. Tanzania is a signatory to the International and Regional instruments on human rights which also recognize the freedom of expression. International and Regional instruments include; the Universal Declaration of Human rights,² the International covenant on civil and political rights,³ the African Charter on Human And Peoples Rights,⁴ the Convention on the rights of the child,⁵ the African Charter on the rights of the Child, the Treaty on the Establishment of East African Community,⁶ The United Nation Human Rights Council Resolution.⁷ Also, Tanzania has its legal framework which protects and promotes the right to freedom of expression. these legal frameworks are the constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania 1977 as amended from time to time.⁸ Thus, the author conducts an analysis of the Electronic and postal Communication (Online Content) Regulation and its Amendment published in the Government Gazette No. 136 of 2022 in protecting the right to freedom of expression in Tanzania as well as its compliance with international standards.

Keywords: Electronic communication, Postal communication, Freedom of expression, Tanzania