On Sunday, December 7, Madowo clarified on social media that circulating images suggesting he met with controversial activist Maria Sarungi were fake and generated using AI technology.
“I haven't been paid by anyone to tarnish anyone's name,” Madowo stated.
“Bongo [Tanzania] has failed to respond to my recent report and instead attacked me with lies.”
The journalist has faced criticism in Tanzania over a recent documentary examining alleged post-election violence and police brutality.
The documentary highlighted claims of mass graves, which purportedly hid victims of the unrest.
Madowo explained that he was previously denied accreditation to report from Tanzania during the elections, limiting his ability to cover events on the ground.
Initially, the journalist received praise from locals for shedding light on the election-related human rights concerns.
However, the backlash intensified when AI-generated images circulated online, claiming he was coordinating with Sarungi, a prominent critic of President Samia Suluhu’s government.
Despite the online attacks, Madowo stands by his reporting, asserting that the Tanzanian government has yet to effectively address the issues raised in his documentary.
The controversy comes amid growing international scrutiny of Tanzania’s election process.
The United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee has called for an independent investigation into the reported post-election violence.
In response, Tanzania announced plans to establish a Commission of Inquiry to examine the incidents and produce a comprehensive report.
