(MISA/IFEX) – The government of Tanzania has banned the daily Kiswahili-language newspaper “Majira” from being published, printed and circulated in Tanzania for seven days, effective 22 July 1999 at 5 p.m. (local time). The move followed a story carried in the newspaper’s 22 July edition which reported on proposed hefty pay packages for ministers and […]
(MISA/IFEX) – The government of Tanzania has banned the daily
Kiswahili-language
newspaper “Majira” from being published, printed and circulated in Tanzania
for seven days, effective 22 July 1999 at 5 p.m. (local time). The move
followed a story carried in the newspaper’s 22 July edition which reported
on proposed hefty pay packages for ministers and senior government
executives beginning this fiscal year.
The director of the Tanzania Information Services, Kassim Mpenda, said in a
statement that the punishment was meant to deter others in the media from
carrying what he claimed to be “false and malicious articles.” The
statement said the news item in question was a total fabrication and a
provocative one aimed at fanning discontent and hatred among the people
towards the government.
In its front page lead story on 22 July, the newspaper reported on
“proposals” to raise the salaries and perks of government ministers to 9
million Tshs (US$11,000) per month, while those of regional commissioners
were said to be upgraded to 8.5 million Tshs (US$10,000) per month. The
article further said that members of parliament would each be pocketing 6.6
million Tshs (US$8,000) per month, while the salaries of the president,
vice-president and prime-minister “remained confidential”.
Once the ban has expired on 28 July, “Majira” will be required to retract
its story and apologise for publishing “fabricated” and “provocative” news.
The newspaper will be further required to make a pledge that they will
adhere to professional ethics, the Newspaper Act No. 3 of 1976, and other
regulations covering proper journalism conduct. The statement by Mpenda said
that the punitive action had been taken to give the publishers, editors and
reporters of the newspaper time to reflect on proper journalism conduct and
to correct themselves.
No edition of “Majira” was published on 23 July.
Background Information
This is the first time that “Majira” has been banned in the United Republic
of Tanzania. A previous ban on “Majira” in December 1996, applied only to
Zanzibar. That ban was lifted in December 1998 (see IFEX alerts of 21 August
1998).
