Introduction
On April 29, 2025, during the commemoration of World Press Freedom Day in Arusha, Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa called on Tanzanian journalists to embrace artificial intelligence (AI) as a vital tool for enhancing their work. This endorsement from the highest levels of government underscores the growing importance of AI in journalism, particularly in a country where media houses are increasingly adopting these technologies amidst various challenges.
Investigative journalism in Tanzania often involves navigating complex information landscapes to uncover hidden truths, hold authorities accountable, and inform the public. While traditional methods like interviewing sources remain vital, open-source data available on the internet has become a goldmine for journalists. Web scraping, the automated extraction of data from websites, and AI have emerged as powerful tools to enhance investigative journalism. In the Tanzanian context, where media houses face resource constraints and disinformation challenges, these technologies offer new opportunities but also raise ethical and practical concerns.
This article explores how web scraping and AI are transforming investigative journalism in Tanzania, their applications, challenges, and ethical considerations. It draws on insights from the State of Artificial Intelligence for Media Development in Tanzania (AI4MD) report and local examples to illustrate the current state and future potential of these technologies in the country’s media landscape.
Why Web Scraping Matters to Tanzanian Journalists
Web scraping involves using software tools to collect data from websites automatically. In Tanzania, where access to public records can be limited, web scraping enables journalists to gather critical information from government websites, social media platforms, and other online sources. According to the AI4MD report, 24% of Tanzanian journalists use data analysis tools, including web scraping, to support their work. This technology is particularly valuable for:
- Holding Authorities Accountable: By scraping public data from government portals, journalists can verify official claims. For example, scraping budget reports from the Ministry of Finance website can reveal discrepancies in public spending, as seen in investigations by outlets like Mwananchi.
- Tracking Disinformation: Tanzania faces challenges with misinformation on platforms like X and Web scraping tools can monitor these platforms to identify false narratives, such as election-related rumors, enabling journalists to counter them with verified facts.
- Uncovering Hidden Stories: Scraping data from online forums or marketplaces can help journalists investigate issues like illegal trade or human trafficking, which are often discussed in obscure corners of the internet.
Despite its potential, web scraping is sometimes viewed with suspicion due to concerns about data privacy and legality. However, many organizations have advocated for its ethical use, arguing that it strengthens transparency and democracy when used responsibly.
The Role of AI in Enhancing Web Scraping
AI complements web scraping by analyzing large datasets and identifying patterns that would be impossible for humans to process manually. In Tanzania, where only 27% of journalists regularly use AI (AI4MD report), its adoption is growing, particularly in data journalism. Key applications include:
- Data Analysis and Summarization: AI tools like ChatGPT or custom-built agents can summarize lengthy government reports, such as those from the Controller and Auditor General (CAG), to identify newsworthy angles. For instance, a Tanzanian journalist could use AI to analyze CAG reports on public projects, uncovering mismanagement in a fraction of the time it would take manually.
- Disinformation Detection: AI-powered tools can analyze scraped social media data to detect fake accounts or coordinated disinformation campaigns, a growing issue in Tanzania’s digital
- Story Generation: AI can suggest story ideas by identifying anomalies in scraped For example, scraping job listings from Tanzanian websites might reveal patterns of discriminatory hiring practices, prompting further investigation.
How Tanzanian Journalists Can Leverage Web Scraping and AI
While web scraping and AI are powerful, many Tanzanian journalists lack the technical skills to use them effectively. The AI4MD report notes that 64% of journalists cite a skills gap as a barrier to adopting AI. Here are practical ways to get started:
- Utilize No-Code Tools: No-code web scraping tools like Data Miner or Octoparse are accessible to journalists without coding expertise. These tools allow users to extract data from websites using browser extensions or simple interfaces. Tanzanian journalists can join communities like the Tanzania Data Lab (dLab) or attend workshops at events like Sahara Sparks to learn about these tools.
- Think About Scale: Web scraping is most effective when dealing with large volumes of data that are impossible to process manually. For instance, a journalist investigating biased reporting in a Tanzanian outlet could scrape all articles published on its website to analyze authorship patterns.
- Let AI Connect the Dots: AI excels at processing and interpreting scraped For example, a journalist could scrape social media posts about a public health crisis in Tanzania, then use AI to identify recurring themes or misinformation.
Ethical Considerations in Tanzania
Tanzanian journalists must adhere to strict ethical guidelines when using web scraping and AI, as outlined by the Media Council of Tanzania (MCT). Key considerations include:
- Transparency: Journalists should identify their scrapers to websites when possible to avoid violating terms of However, in cases like investigating illegal online activities, anonymity may be necessary.
- Data Privacy: Scraped data must be handled carefully to avoid leaking sensitive
- Human Oversight: AI should never replace human Journalists must verify AI-generated findings to ensure accuracy and avoid biases.
- Legal Compliance: Tanzania’s Cybercrimes Act (2015) imposes strict regulations on data Journalists must ensure their scraping activities comply with these laws.
Challenges in Adopting Web Scraping and AI
Despite their potential, web scraping and AI face several challenges in Tanzania:
- Skills Gap: 64% of journalists lack the skills to use AI or scraping tools effectively (AI4MD report).
- Resource Constraints: 37% cite high costs as a barrier, particularly for small media
- Ethical Concerns: 41% worry about the ethical implications of AI, such as bias or
- Disinformation Risks: 40% believe AI could exacerbate misinformation if not used
Government Support for AI in Journalism
The Tanzanian government has shown strong support for integrating AI into journalism. During the World Press Freedom Day commemoration on April 29, 2025, Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa urged journalists to embrace AI as a tool to enhance their work rather than viewing it as a threat (Daily News). He emphasized that AI can significantly aid in the production and distribution of news while acknowledging the need for guidelines to ensure its ethical use. The government is currently developing a special policy on AI to provide such guidelines, ensuring that the technology aligns with press freedom and journalistic integrity.
Supporting this call, Professor Palamagamba Kabudi, the Minister for Information, Culture, Arts, and Sports, emphasized that AI should be leveraged to enhance journalistic performance rather than impede it. He stressed the importance of using AI effectively to carry out journalistic duties.
Case Studies in Tanzania
While web scraping and AI are still emerging in Tanzania, some media houses are leading the way:
- Mwananchi: Uses AI to analyze reader engagement and scrape public data for investigative stories on governance.
- The Chanzo: Employs AI to understand audience behavior on social media, enhancing its digital
- Jamii Forums: Scrapes user-generated content to identify trending issues, though it faces challenges in moderating misinformation.
The Future of Web Scraping and AI in Tanzanian Journalism
The future of investigative journalism in Tanzania lies in integrating web scraping and AI into newsrooms while addressing ethical and practical challenges. The AI4MD report recommends:
- Training Programs: Expanding initiatives like Unesco’s to close the skills
- National AI Guidelines: Developing policies to ensure ethical AI use, as only 22% of media houses currently have such guidelines.
- Collaboration: Partnering with organizations like the Tanzania AI Community to develop Kiswahili-compatible AI tools.
Furthermore, the Tanzanian government’s development of a special policy on AI in media reflects a commitment to integrating AI responsibly, addressing concerns about ethics and accountability (Daily News). As Tanzania’s media landscape evolves, web scraping and AI will become indispensable for uncovering stories hidden in plain sight.
Conclusion
Web scraping and AI are revolutionizing investigative journalism in Tanzania by enabling journalists to access and analyze vast amounts of data. From holding authorities accountable to tracking disinformation, these tools offer immense potential. However, their adoption requires overcoming skills gaps, resource constraints, and ethical concerns. With government support, as evidenced by Prime Minister Majaliwa’s call, and through training and collaboration, Tanzania’s media can harness these technologies to produce impactful journalism that serves the public interest.
