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Summary
Niambie (Tell Me), a new radio programme in Tanzania, seeks to increase young people鈥檚 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.
Context
In late 2015 Tanzanians will go to the polls to vote in multiparty local, parliamentary and presidential elections. In addition, a new proposed constitution will be put to a referendum. In this context, Niambie was launched to support young people in Tanzania to play a constructive role in the country鈥檚 democratic processes.
The project
Niambie (Tell Me) aims to support young Tanzanians to play an active and constructive role in the democratic processes that affect their lives through a national youth radio show. The project also strengthens the capacity of national media organisations across Tanzania to provide more trusted, accurate and balanced information that meets audience needs.
Research methodology
大象传媒 Media Action conducted formative and baseline research to understand the barriers and drivers that affect young people鈥檚 social and political engagement. It 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鈥�30 years old conducted in May 2014.
Findings
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鈥檚 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鈥檚 democratic institutions but feel cynical about local and national governments鈥� 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.
- 73% think that political leaders do not listen to their voters once they get elected.
- 62% feel that they are not free to talk negatively about the national government in public.
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.
Implications
The findings suggest key potential avenues for Niambie to address young people鈥檚 needs:
- Inspire. Sharing examples of people 鈥渓ike them鈥� who have accomplished their dreams and highlighting opportunities can be valuable and empowering for young people.
- Inform and increase confidence. Young people feel that they do not know enough about political issues. The programme can provide clarity and expose myths, as well as increase youth鈥檚 (and particularly young women鈥檚) visibility and confidence by putting their views at the centre of the debate.
- Bring young people and leaders together. Youth are sceptical about the responsiveness of their elected leaders. The programme can be a platform for dialogue so that young people can influence decision-making processes before and after the elections, specifically on issues that concern them.