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Analyses of Dynamics of Censorship of Music in East Africa: The Case of Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority and Kenya Film and Classification Board

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  • Dr. Idah Gatwiri Muchunku

    (Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Media and Communication, Multimedia University of Kenya, P.O. Box 15653 – 00503, Nairobi, Magadi Road, Kenya)

Abstract

This was a case study of censorship of music in East Africa (EA) that used desktop research methodology to retrieve openly available online resources to do a qualitative content analyses of restrictions in two East Africa countries (Tanzania and Kenya). The study was guided by two specific objectives: to examine the dynamics of censorship of music by Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) between January 2018 and March 2023; and to assess the dynamics of censorship of music by Kenya Film and Classification Board (KFCB) between January 2018 and March 2023. The study found out that between 2018 and 2023, twenty-two songs comprising of fifteen Bongo Flavas in Tanzania and seven Gengetones in Kenya were censored for contravening ‘acceptable’ cultural values and consequentially deemed as harmful to children or citizenry in East Africa. Further, the study established that government regulators or public uproar initiated censorship of music that was considered vulgar, obscene, pornographic, blasphemous or that glorified sexual violence including rape, paedophilia and objectification of women. The study recommends that government leaders should carry out awareness campaigns and also mainstream national values and aspirations of their countries so as to groom creative artists to remain focused as they exercise their freedom of expression.This was a case study of censorship of music in East Africa (EA) that used desktop research methodology to retrieve openly available online resources to do a qualitative content analyses of restrictions in two East Africa countries (Tanzania and Kenya). The study was guided by two specific objectives: to examine the dynamics of censorship of music by Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) between January 2018 and March 2023; and to assess the dynamics of censorship of music by Kenya Film and Classification Board (KFCB) between January 2018 and March 2023. The study found out that between 2018 and 2023, twenty-two songs comprising of fifteen Bongo Flavas in Tanzania and seven Gengetones in Kenya were censored for contravening ‘acceptable’ cultural values and consequentially deemed as harmful to children or citizenry in East Africa. Further, the study established that government regulators or public uproar initiated censorship of music that was considered vulgar, obscene, pornographic, blasphemous or that glorified sexual violence including rape, paedophilia and objectification of women. The study recommends that government leaders should carry out awareness campaigns and also mainstream national values and aspirations of their countries so as to groom creative artists to remain focused as they exercise their freedom of expression.

Suggested Citation

  • Dr. Idah Gatwiri Muchunku, 2023. "Analyses of Dynamics of Censorship of Music in East Africa: The Case of Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority and Kenya Film and Classification Board," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 7(5), pages 517-541, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:bcp:journl:v:7:y:2023:i:5:p:517-541
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mojtaba Vaismoradi & Hannele Turunen & Terese Bondas, 2013. "Content analysis and thematic analysis: Implications for conducting a qualitative descriptive study," Nursing & Health Sciences, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 15(3), pages 398-405, September.
    2. Pablo Bello & David Garcia, 2021. "Cultural Divergence in popular music: the increasing diversity of music consumption on Spotify across countries," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 8(1), pages 1-8, December.
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