Four journalists and three print shop production staff are on trial for publishing photographs of naked women. The photographs were used to illustrate an expose on Dar es Salaam’s lucrative, illegal pornography industry. The story, an investigation into the production of back-street pornographic photographs and videos, appeared in the 28 December 1994 edition of “Mwana-Mama” […]
Four journalists and three print shop production staff are on
trial for publishing photographs of naked women. The photographs
were used to illustrate an expose on Dar es Salaam’s lucrative,
illegal pornography industry. The story, an investigation into
the production of back-street pornographic photographs and
videos, appeared in the 28 December 1994 edition of “Mwana-Mama”
(“The Lady”), and was illustrated with three photographs of naked
women. The women’s genitals were covered over by the publishers,
reports MISA Deputy Chairperson and Tanzania representative
Ndimara Tegambwage, and the article “lamented that women were
being photographed naked” — something the authors felt was
“degrading Tanzanian women”. According to “Mwana-Mama”, the
pornographic material is sold in Europe, and is also put on show
at the homes and premises of Tanzanian “big shots”.
The seven accused — Godfrey Mhando (Editor and Publisher of
“Mwana-Mama”), Ben Mtobwa (Managing Editor of the weekly
newspaper “Heko” and alleged financier of “Mwana-Mama”), “Heko”
sub-editor Mkumbo Mitula, freelance journalist Kassim Chande, as
well as Kumbaeli Jeremiah Lema, Japhet Mashirie, and Pascal
Joseph from Business Printers, the company which printed
“Mwana-Mama” — have been charged under section 175 of the Penal
Code, which forbids the publication of pornography. If found
guilty, the seven face a maximum penalty or two years
imprisonment or a fine of 2000 Tanzanian Shillings (U$4).
However, an amendment to Sec. 175 of the Penal Code, proposing
that the fine be raised to 200 000 Tanzanian Shillings (U$400),
is due to be tabled in parliament in April.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Please write to the Tanzanian authorities:
– expressing concern that the accused have been charged with
publishing pornography when their intent was to expose it
Appeals To
The Honourable Philip Marmo
Minister of Information and Broadcasting
PO Box 1516
Dar-es Salaam
Fax: +(255 51) 46227/44645
Anyone wishing to write letters of support to the media workers
charged with publishing pornography should send their
contributions c/o MISA-Tanzania:
MISA-Tanzania
PO Box 71775
Dar es Salaam
Tanzania
Fax c/o +255 51 44509
