Tanzania: Audience Feedback on Haba na Haba (Little by Little)

This document shares audience feedback about Haba na Haba, a weekly discussion programme broadcast by the BBC Swahili service. Featuring reports produced by six local community-based radio stations across the country, the programme covers issues relevant to local communities in Tanzania and invites politicians and public figures into the studio to address concerns raised by the programme and audiences.

According to the summary report, overall, Haba na Haba was viewed by audiences as a programme that provides a meaningful forum for discussion between leaders and citizens. Audiences felt that the programme offered an opportunity to challenge government officials in Tanzania and hold them to account.

Specifically, the BBC Media Action research team in Tanzania conducted 23 panel discussions with adult men and women in six locations across Tanzania to gain feedback on Haba na Haba - in particular, to understand audience perceptions of topics covered and the overall style, tone, and format of the programme, with a view to informing future programme development. The panel discussion involved playing an episode of Haba na Haba to the audience and holding a moderated discussion afterwards.

The research revealed the following:

• "Overall, Haba na Haba was well received among participants, particularly its coverage of a variety of social and political issues across Tanzania.
• There was a high level of trust in the programme among participants, as the programme addressed topics that affected their communities and reflected the voice of the ordinary Tanzanians.
• Participants particularly appreciated programmes on issues such as the role of Members of Parliament and pension funds. They felt the points covered in these programmes could be put to use in their own lives, for example knowing how to select an elected representative or realising the importance of getting a pension plan to assure future security.
• By contrast, the e-governance discussion was felt to be too exclusive due to the nature of the topic and the technical language used. This was particularly evident for rural audiences.
• Participants felt that the programme offered an opportunity to challenge government officials in Tanzania and hold them to account. Participants perceived that officials wanted to come onto the programme to answer questions.
• A preference for inviting government officials with the power to initiate change was reported, indicating participants belief that the programme has a role to play in holding government to account."

In general, panel participants appreciated and trusted Haba na Haba. Participants appreciated that journalists reported from different parts of the country on diverse topics. They said the programme dealt with issues their communities faced, gave a voice to ordinary people, and helped to hold the government to account. Discussion participants felt that it was challenging for citizens to complain about the lack of availability of their elected representatives. They also spoke of how the programme had highlighted the role of citizens in taking responsibility for initiating political change. Overall, Haba na Haba was viewed as a programme that provides a meaningful forum for discussion between leaders and citizens.

Click here to read a summary of the document on the BBC Media Action website.