Tanzanian government suspends news platform for 30 days over publication of “restricted content”

Tanzania’s communications regulator, the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA)  has suspended the digital platforms of a local media company, Mwananchi Communications Ltd for 30 days over the publication of what it called restricted content. According to the regulator, the content published on October 1 damaged the country’s image.

“Mwananchi Communication Ltd published audio-visual content on its social media platforms… that has been prohibited by the Online Content Regulations 2020. The content has led to negative interpretations of the nation, which is affecting and disrupting unity, peace and national harmony”, TCRA said in a statement. But, it did not say what the restricted content was.

Mwananchi Limited has said it would comply with the suspension order.

One of Mwananchi’s publications, The Citizen, published on October 1st an animated video on its X and Instagram platforms depicting a woman watching a TV broadcast that showed people complaining about missing or murdered relatives and friends.

Earlier in September, Ally Kibao, a senior politician and member of the secretariat of the Chadema party, was found dead on the outskirts of Dar es Salaam after he was abducted by armed individuals.

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The Citizen later deleted the video and issued a statement saying the clip, which “depicted events that raised concerns regarding the safety and security of individuals in Tanzania”, had been misinterpreted. Kibao’s lifeless body was discovered, “severely beaten” and nearly unrecognizable owing to the acid poured over his face, according to local news reports.

Speaking to the media, CHADEMA chairman Freeman Mbowe stated that Kibao was travelling by bus from Dar es Salaam to the north-eastern port city of Tanga when he was abducted and carried away by two armed men, according to eyewitnesses.

The news of the unfortunate incident garnered the attention of international stakeholders, some of which spoke against the violent act and called for immediate action.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan has garnered praise in the last three years for lifting a ban on political parties’ rallies and for easing media restrictions. However, critics say recent events including a ban on some protests and the arrest of opposition leaders and journalists reflected a rollback of freedoms.

The country’s second-largest opposition party, ACT-Wazalendo, said the government should revoke the ban. “The government is trying to muzzle news outlets which detail the true problems facing Tanzanians,” Rahma Mwita, ACT-Wazalendo’s shadow minister of information said.

The Tanzanian government has denied the accusations.