TBC Taifa
The Public Services Broadcasting Reform has taken place all over the world as the result of political, economical, cultural and technological changes occurred over the last 10 years in the world. Public broadcasting was forced to re-examine its purpose, its nature, and its mission. From the close of the Second World War until the late 1970’s, public broadcasting organisations had stood in powerful, resilient opposition to commercial systems, and they dominated the cultural geology of the societies from which they had been formed.
In the 1990’s, the African media were poised on the brink of change. Much government-controlled African broadcasting was decentralized as multiparty democracy gave way to greater freedom and created a demand for more accountable institutions.
In Tanzania, there has been Public Service Reform Programme aimed at improving quality, efficiency and effectiveness of services and performance through out the public service on continuous and sustainable basis. This resulted in the establishment of Taasisi ya Utangazaji Tanzania (TUT) on 12th June 2004 following the merger of Radio Tanzania Dar Es Salaam (RTD) and Televisheni ya Taifa (TVT). The exercise brought Radio and Television broadcasting under one management. When TUT failed to perform according to what was expected over the short period of time, the turn around strategy was formulated. The TUT turn around strategy was aimed at turning the organisation into a truly public broadcaster, accountable to the public through its programmes whilst embracing quality, impartially, broad coverage and accessibility to all stakeholders. Hence in March 2006 TUT was changed to become TBC, and Radio Tanzania Dar es salaam as one of TBC affiliate was renamed TBC Taifa.
TBC International
Historically, the External Service of Radio Tanzania broadcast its programs in English. The former Head and presenter, Edda Sanga recalls proudly that the station served a crucial role in Tanzania’s Liberation efforts of African countries. “We had powerful transmitters, this allowed our compatriots in Southern Africa to listen in English to daily progress on the Liberation fronts.” Indeed, the old “fundis” who are still working with TBC speak of “jubilant celebrations” at RTD whenever an African country achieved independence.
The noble African Liberation cause that The External Service played is easy to forget, perhaps because most people will remember the entertainment programs such as Dial a Disc!
As that history remains shrouded in the glory of a fully independent Africa, TBC has revived the historic station with other current and important purposes.
The Swahili language united Tanzanians. RTD is commended for spurring the socio-cultural, economic and political integrity of the nation. This cohesion is the essence of the peace and relative prosperity and opportunities that prevail in Tanzania.
Forty-Five years after Independence, Tanzania is forging ahead in development, attempting to find its grip in a free market global economy. Tanzania is endowed with peace loving, generous and hard working people, rich mineral resources, world class tourist attractions (Kilimanjaro/Serengeti a wonder of the world), opportunities in mining, agriculture, land development, transport and tourism.
This state has allowed substantial foreign investments in the country. It has also spurred foreign aid and assistance in most sectors. The presence of multi-nationals in the country is growing annually. It is imperative that a cross-cultural bridge is developed so that they feel welcome, in tune, attached and accountable to the country they are doing business or aiding in development.
TBC One
TBC One has its roots from the National television - - in Kiswahili, Televisheni ya Taifa - - which started trial transmission in 1999 under an emergency situation after the sudden death of Father of the Nation Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere at a London hospital on 14th October, 1999. The Government thought it was appropriate to show the nation most of the activities towards funeral services in Dar es Salaam and in Butiama. Official broadcasting started on the 15th March 2000 when the first news bulletin went on air. The first TV news presenter was former Director of Radio Tanzania, Mr. David Wakati.
Joe Mpunguliana, the person who spearheaded formation of TvT in his capacity as Director of AVI and Acting Head of TvT.
Radio broadcasting in the East African country goes back to the colonial period when on July 1st, 1951 a small radio station was established at Kichwele Street, now housing a beer manufacturing company, Tanzania Breweries in Ilala District. The radio station was known as Sauti ya Dar es Salaam, meaning the Voice of Dar es Salaam. In August, 1955 the British colonial government brought in new and more powerful transmitters, which covered not only Dar es Salaam but also other provinces (regions).At that time (1955) the colonial government changed the name from Sauti ya Dar es Salaam to Tanganyika Broadcasting Services (TBS). A year later on July first 1956 the station changed its name from TBS to Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation, (TBC).
Nine years later on March 17th, 1965 the National Assembly passed a bill changing the name of the broadcaster from TBC to Radio Tanzania Dar es Salaam (RTD).The name was changed officially on the 1st of July, 1965 after the changes were published in the official gazette. In 1999 the 3rd Phase Government established the national Television (TvT) at Mikocheni. Four years later in 2002 passed an order merging Radio Tanzania Dar es Salaam and Televisheni ya Taifa to form a corporate board known as Tanzania Broadcasting Services (TBS) in Kiswahili Taasisi ya Utangazaji Tanzania (TuT).The merger was implemented in 2004, although each media house remained with its name - RTD and TvT respectively. It operated more on the government system, which had some limitations on the operations of the media houses, especially now that Tanzania is under multi-party politics.
Towards the end of 2006 The Government made changes in the top leadership of the organization, bringing on board Dustan Tido Mhando, as Director General of TuT, taking over from Samwilu Mwaffisi. A new Board of Directors was also appointed with Ferdinand Kamuntu Ruhinda as Board Chairperson. Other members of the Board are Salvatory Rweyemamu and Deputy Chairman, Kassim Mpenda, Prof. Mwajabu Kachenje Possi, Prof. Henry Ngombelo, Agnes Bukuku, Hassan Mitawi and Dominic Mahundi.
With multiparty politics in the East African country taking shape, TuT
Management suggested to the Board of Directors to look into the possibility of changing the name of the Corporation in order to operate as a real public broadcaster. The proposal was endorsed and on 26th March 2008, the institution was renamed Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation, with TBC One being the television centre at Mikocheni area, Kinondoni District.
TBC FM
TBC FM is the former PRT Radio, which started in 1995, which was then known as City Radio.
City radio started shortly after the proliferation of media in Tanzania. Before, there was only RTD, as the electronic media in the country, which was owned by the government, but after the proliferation of the media in the 1990’s, several privately owned media emerged.
It was called City Radio because at first it only reaches the Dar es Salaam city, but as days moved on; it extended to other regions of Tanzania. City radio was solely aimed at competing with other radio stations that were basically commercial oriented. Music and commercial programmes were broadcasted through this station.
To enable City Radio to have competitive advantage over other stations, the format of broadcasting was also different from that of General Service. It was more like a DJ studio with the announcer as the sole operator.
There were several things that needed to be considered in starting this channel. City Radio was expected to be totally different from the General Service. In doing so, the taste of the programmes, language used, the needs of the audience were all given maximum importance.
Although the radio had the quality of providing a youthful image, the announcers of City Radio were the ones also working in the General Service, thus it was difficult to differentiate the stations.
