Freedom of expression as among the fundamental human rights and democratization process has been a claim of supporters of free market of ideas under liberal democracy. With the development of new media technology, the voices of the voiceless have been given a wide girth and hence enjoying the fruits of new media which enables them to penetrate from the normative gate-keeping system. This study has assessed the uses and impacts of social networking sites and webblogs (blogs) in spearheading open discussions as reflecting to Public Opinion Theory on matters pertaining to democratization and freedom of expression in particular, in Tanzania. Intensive literature review has been conducted using local and international publications to support the three-year content analysis study which used; face book, twitter and instagram – accounts of social media architects, Zitto Kabwe Ruyagwa, Maria Sarungi-T’sehai, January Makamba and Mange Kimambi, all due to their popularity in Tanzanian democratic arena; blogs; Jamii Forums, Sauti Kubwa, Issa Michuzi, Swahili Times and Freddy Macha and two political cartoonists’ accounts – ‘Wakudata’ and ‘Kipanya’ were also surveyed in attempt to understand the extent of social media uses for democratisation process in Tanzania. Fair penetration of internet services has been seen with which has oiled democratization process in the country – witnessing hot discussions from people of all social classes. However, the social media uses and users have gone further allowing unethical posts and pose a great challenge to the voluntary and non-voluntary regulatory bodies in the country than ever before – the efforts which have yet been materialized, especially in striking the balance between rights to freedom of expression as among the fundamental pillars of democracy in one hand and protection of ethics and national tranquilly which are also a cornerstone for a civilized nation.

Keywords : framing, social media, democratization process, netizens, freedom of expression, public opinion.