How Can Radio Encourage Youth Engagement with Democracy in Tanzania? Niambie’s Potential

"Niambie (Tell Me), a new radio programme in Tanzania, seeks to increase young people’s civic and political engagement. Formative and baseline research reveals that young people are deeply frustrated by what they perceive as obstacles to achieving their aspirations, such as a weak education system and a lack of employment opportunities."

This 2-page brief discusses perspectives gained from formative and baseline research conducted by BBC Media Action in Tanzania to understand the barriers and drivers that affect young people’s social and political engagement. The research is being used to inform the Niambie radio project (see Related Summary below), which is designed to support young Tanzanians to play an active and constructive role in the democratic processes that affect their lives.

The formative research (conducted in May 2014) included focus group discussions with youth across the country, in-depth interviews with key stakeholders, and a nationally representative survey with 1,993 respondents aged 15–30 years old. Key findings include the following:

"Youth from across Tanzania share similar dreams but struggle to fulfil them.

• They aspire to status and respect in their communities through personal success. However, they feel deeply frustrated about the hurdles, blaming a poor education system and a limited and corrupt job market.
• Young people feel pessimistic and only a third think that their lives have improved in the last five years. Their level of participation in civic and political activities is relatively low.

Young people want to make a difference, value the country’s democratic institutions and are keen to play a role in society. However, it appears that their motivation is frustrated by two main barriers.

• Young people lack confidence in their knowledge of political processes, parties, candidates and of ways that they can be more involved.
• 85% of young people in Tanzania feel that they know very little or nothing at all about political issues and current affairs.

Youth in Tanzania value the country’s democratic institutions but feel cynical about local and national governments’ responsiveness. They also have low levels of trust in the politicians leading these institutions, feeling that leaders do not keep their electoral promises and use their positions for personal gain.

Youth from Zanzibar feel more disengaged and sceptical about politics. This seems to result from a heavily politicised environment and feeling detached from politics beyond Zanzibar. However, they are particularly knowledgeable about the potential change in the constitution relating to the structure of the union that could result in more self-government for Zanzibar."

The findings suggest a number of key potential avenues for Niambie to address young people’s needs. For example, youth can be inspired by sharing examples of people 'like them' who have accomplished their dreams and highlighting opportunities. The programme can also help to inform and increase confidence related to political engagement by informing young people about political issues and increasing youth’s (and particularly young women’s) visibility and confidence by putting their views at the centre of the debate. The programme can also help bring young people and leaders together, to improve youth influence on decision-making and promote accountability.