DAR ES SALAAM, June 23 -- FOR decades, media freedom has been regarded as one of the defining pillars of democracy. Countries are ranked, governments are scrutinised and journalists are celebrated or criticised based on how freely information flows within their borders.

Yet according to veteran journalist and media scholar Dr Maurice Mwaffisi, one important reality is often overlooked: no country in the world enjoys absolute media freedom.

Speaking in an exclusive interview at his Segerea residence in Dar es Salaam, Dr Mwaffisi says press freedom is shaped, not by universal standards, but by the unique political, economic and social realities of each nation.

His assessment comes at a time when media freedom continues to dominate global...