(MISA/IFEX) – On 17 December 1997, the Tanzanian government warned it would ban all newspapers and broadcasters carrying obscene or comical cartoons that ridicule government officials and its leaders, reports the Media Institute of Tanzania (MISA-Tanzania). The warning was issued by the state-run Tanzania Information Service. The warning stated that newspapers and broadcasters had been […]
(MISA/IFEX) – On 17 December 1997, the Tanzanian government
warned it would ban all newspapers and broadcasters carrying
obscene or comical cartoons that ridicule government officials
and its leaders, reports the Media Institute of Tanzania
(MISA-Tanzania). The warning was issued by the state-run Tanzania
Information Service.
The warning stated that newspapers and broadcasters had been
ordered to refrain from carrying defamatory articles as well as
obscene cartoons intended to ridicule authorities. The government
says it has observed that, in particular, newspapers carry
stories and cartoons without regard to professional ethics.
The government says it fears offending articles and cartoons
could “ruin the young generation….” These articles and cartoons
have also been broadcast on radio and television stations which
have wide viewers and listeners. The government terms such
articles and cartoons as “unpalatable news” to society.
Tanzania Information Services is under the Prime Minister’s
Office and is in charge of the registration of newspapers. The
Office is also in charge of the police force and all its other
special branches. Tanzania has on record over one hundred
registered publications and nineteen licensed private radio and
television stations.
