Tanzanian reporter Erick Kabendera pays his way to freedom
Reporters Without Borders says the hefty fine paid by Erick Kabendera to secure his release is indicative of the deteriorating press freedom environment in Tanzania.
Censorship in Tanzania: Repressive laws continue to silence dissent
Rights groups publish reports highlighting President John Magufuli’s government and its adoption of repressive laws that stifle independent journalism, and severely restrict the activities of civil society and political opposition.
Fined: 3 online TV channels critical of Tanzanian president
The media crackdown in Tanzania continues escalating, with journalist Erick Kabendera remaining in detention and heavy fines for 3 online tv channels.
Tanzania sinking further into authoritarianism with proposed amendments to 8 laws
Tanzania is fast tracking the Written Laws Bill which seeks to make changes to eight existing acts that will further restrict access to Information, data protection and artistic free expression.
UNHRC requested to address crackdown on adversaries by Tanzanian authorities
Together with 37 other NGOs, CPJ has asked observer and member states of the UN Human Rights Council to tackle the crackdown on human rights defenders, the media and opposition members by Tanzanian authorities.
AFEX condemns detention and deportation of CIPESA executive director
Tanzanian authorities prevented Dr. Wairagala Wakabi, executive director of CIPESA, from attending the commemoration of the Tanzania Human Rights Defenders’ Day when they arrested him upon arrival in the country and deported him back to Uganda several hours later.
Tanzania’s media act goes against grain of regional treaty
The East African Court of Justice (EACJ) ruled that multiple sections of Tanzania’s 2016 Media Services Act, including those on sedition, criminal defamation, and false news publication, restrict press freedom and freedom of expression, and breach the constitutive treaty of the East African Community.
Media Ownership Monitoring Map shows media ownership trends
The Media Council of Tanzania (MCT) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) have developed a media ownership monitoring (MOM) map showing who owns and ultimately controls Tanzania’s mass media.
Detained CPJ staffers released in Tanzania
Officers who identified themselves as working with the Tanzanian immigration authority detained CPJ staffers Angela Quintal and Muthoki Mumo for several hours on 7 November in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. They were released midday on 8 November.
Tanzania: TV stations fined following reports on alleged human rights abuses
The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority’s decision to fine 5 TV stations came after the stations had covered a report by an NGO alleging that abuses were committed by security personnel during the country’s November 26 ward by-election.
Azori Gwanda disappearance “may discourage” investigative journalists
There is growing concern among NGOs in Tanzania at the disappearance of journalist Azori Gwanda, who has been missing since 21 November 2017.
Tanzania imposes 2-year publishing ban on privately-owned “Mawio” newspaper
Tanzania’s Information, Sports and Culture minister imposed a 24-month ban on “Mawio”‘s print editions and any articles posted online over articles that mentioned two retired presidents in reports on an investigation into misconduct.
Tanzanian President John Magufuli’s aside on “limits” of press freedom raises fears
Tanzanian President John Magufuli’s ominous warning to journalists that press freedom has “limits” following a sequence of events that led to the firing of his information minister has raised new concerns about authoritarianism in the east African republic.
Journalists persecuted for reporting on Barrick Gold
A subsidiary of Canada’s Barrick Gold is once again embroiled in a free expression controversy. This time over threats to journalists who reported on mining issues.
Popular Tanzanian website’s office raided, staff arrested and detained
The arrest on Tuesday of Maxence Melo, founder and editor of Jamii Forum, the popular Tanzanian website, has raised serious concerns among the human rights community in the region.
Social media users arraigned for “insulting” Tanzanian president
On 14 September 2016, five Internet users were arraigned before a Tanzanian Court on charges of insulting President John Magufuli on social media.