Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA)

Tanzanian media houses have resolved to dissociate themselves from any government activity performed by the Minister of Information until further notice. The decision was made following the government’s failure to respond to the media fraternity’s appeal to lift the ban on three major newspapers.

Tanzania’s Information Services Director said that newspapers Mwananchi and Mtanzania were banned because they carried articles which were likely to force citizens to mistrust their government.

Thirteen civil society organisations have asked the government to immediately take steps to ensure that the Access to Information (ATI) bill is presented during the next sitting of Parliament without further delay.

The assault against journalist Raphael Mlozoa follows a report he filed, which said that the minister of Economic Planning and Development, Ralph Jooma, had himself been assaulted by certain members of the Muslim community.

Media reports quote the Information and Broadcasting Services permanent secretary as saying that the government will not hesitate to revoke the broadcast licenses of any media house deemed non-compliant with the provisions of their particular license.

Over 150 IFEX members and partners of ARTICLE 19 appealed to US President Obama to drop charges against whistleblower Edward Snowden, update the Whistleblower Protection Act and pass a media shield law.

Wilson Pondamali was released from jail on 31 July 2013, but must still answer to four charges in October. The journalist is suspected of having links to a critical online news publication, the Zambian Watchdog.

Actions taken by Zambian authorities against three journalists are the latest in a series of escalating tactics against the “Zambian Watchdog”. Clayson Hamasaka, Thomas Zyambo and Wilson Pondamali have been detained out of suspicion that they are affiliated with the website.