The main thesis of this paper, which uses Tanzania's broadcasting system--Radio Tanzania Dar Es Salaam (RTD)--as a case study, is that media systems reflect the political and economic systems of the nation within which they operate subject to certain constraints. This discussion includes: (1) the history of the country's broadcasting policy before 1967; (2) a profile of the United Republic of Tanzania in terms of its politics, economy, industries, demography, and culture as well as its education, health services, transportation, and telecommunications systems; (3) a review of the five national broadcasting services (National, Commercial, Schools, External, and News), and the changes in broadcasting policy since 1967 and their effects on programming in Radio Tanzania; and (4) an examination of government instituted controls that have been implemented to ensure that Radio Tanzania reflects national policy. It is concluded that finance, transportation, and telecommunications are the major impediments to Radio Tanzania fulfilling all of its broadcasting policy, and that RTD is fighting against good intentions. (18 references) (CGD)