LISTEN TO THIS THE AFRICANA VOICE ARTICLE NOW
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Three of Tanzania’s major newspapers—The Citizen, Mwananchi, and Mwanaspoti—were on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, banned from publishing their online editions for 30 days. The suspension came after an animated clip, published by The Citizen on October 1, criticized President Samia Suluhu Hassan. The animation, which highlighted rising cases of abductions and disappearances in Tanzania, quickly went viral before being removed, leading to swift action from the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA).
The clip, which lasted over a minute, depicted a female cartoon character resembling President Samia, identifiable by her signature hijab. The character was shown switching between various TV stations, each featuring individuals lamenting the abduction, killing, or disappearance of family members. The character ended up appearing visibly distressed by all the complaints being aired. The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) interpreted this depiction as harmful content that “threatens and is likely to affect national unity and social peace of the United Republic of Tanzania.”
The media regulator promptly moved to suspend the online platforms of Mwananchi Communication Limited (MCL), the media group managing the three newspapers. Wednesday’s suspension affected all of the newspapers’ online operations, including their websites, social media, and YouTube platforms. According to the authorities, the video violated the country’s strict online communication regulations.
Mpoki Thomson, the managing editor of The Citizen, defended the animation, stating that its purpose was to draw attention to growing public concerns regarding safety and security in Tanzania. However, after facing backlash and accusations of misinterpretation, the animation was taken down within a few hours. “Our decision to take down the animation stems from the misinterpretation it has generated, which diverges from our original intent,” Mr. Thomson said in a statement.
This ban on the three newspapers follows a trend in Tanzania of suppressing media freedom, a practice that dates back to the tenure of former President John Magufuli. Magufuli, who was in office from 2015 until his death in 2021, was known for his authoritarian approach to governance, which included repeated crackdowns on the media. During his time in office, several newspapers and online platforms faced suspension or were permanently shut down for publishing content that was perceived as critical of the government.
In 2017, Tanzania’s leading Swahili newspaper, Mawio, was banned for two years after it linked two former presidents to controversial mining contracts. Magufuli’s administration also suspended The Citizen in 2019 for publishing an article on the depreciation of the Tanzanian shilling, which authorities deemed to be false and misleading. Such moves were part of a broader effort by Magufuli’s government to silence dissent and tightly control the flow of information in the country.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who succeeded Magufuli following his death, initially appeared to offer hope for greater openness and media freedom. Her early actions included lifting bans on some media outlets and engaging with journalists, signaling a departure from her predecessor’s heavy-handed tactics. However, the recent suspension of these three newspapers suggests a return to the restrictive policies of the past. Critics argue that the current government is increasingly stifling dissent, particularly ahead of the upcoming general elections next year.
Rights groups have accused President Samia’s administration of using similar tactics to those of her predecessor, targeting critical voices and suppressing independent journalism. The recent ban follows a wave of abductions, arrests, and even the brutal killing of an opposition figure.
LEAVE A COMMENT
You must be logged in to post a comment.