Framing Crime in Tanzania: Agenda-Setting and Coverage Patterns in Mwananchi and Habari Leo

This study examines how crime is framed in Tanzanian newspapers, focusing on Mwananchi and Habari Leo. Guided by Agenda-Setting Theory and News Framing Theory, it investigates the dominant types of crime reported and the editorial patterns that shape public perceptions of criminality. A qualitative research design was employed, combining content analysis of crime news articles published between January and June 2024 with semi-structured interviews of twelve journalists and editors. Findings indicate that coverage is overwhelmingly dominated by violent and sensational crimes, including murder, robbery, sexual offences, and gender-based violence, while complex and systemic crimes such as corruption, cybercrime, financial fraud, environmental offences, and organised economic crime are underrepresented. Editorial decisions prioritise stories that are dramatic, accessible, and likely to attract readership, resulting in a skewed public understanding of crime that emphasizes immediate threats over long-term societal harms. The study concludes that Tanzanian crime reporting reflects news values, commercial imperatives, and institutional constraints rather than proportional representation of actual crime trends. It recommends enhancing investigative journalism capacity and broadening reporting practices to include less visible but socially significant crimes, thereby supporting more informed public discourse and accountability.