Tanzania: Authorities Detain Journalists Covering Banned Opposition Protest Amid Growing Crackdown on Press Freedom
September 23, 2024 - Tanzania, Dar es Salaam
Police briefly detained reporter Mariam Shaban from East Africa TV, along with Nipashe journalist Jenifer Gilla, while they covered a banned protest organized by the opposition Chadema party in Dar es Salaam.
These unjust detentions are part of a series of repressive actions by the state against journalists in the country. On October 2, 2024, the TCRA issued a 30-day suspension on Mwananchi Communications Limited’s (MCL) online publications, including prominent newspapers The Citizen, Mwananchi, and Mwanaspoti. The suspension followed the release of a video deemed critical of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, depicting a woman resembling the president watching news reports on abductions and killings in the country. The ban reflects the authorities' intolerance toward content perceived as damaging to the government’s image.
Despite initial promises to improve press conditions and lift bans, President Samia’s administration continues to exploit restrictive laws, such as the 2020 online content regulations, to stifle dissent and limit press freedom.
Women Press Freedom is deeply concerned by the government’s actions toward critical press. Tanzanian authorities must stop the arbitrary detentions and harassment of journalists. The TCRA should lift the suspension on Mwananchi Communications Limited’s publications and refrain from using regulatory powers to censor media content.
We also call on the government to repeal restrictive laws and regulations, such as the 2020 online content regulations, that are used to suppress press freedom and intimidate the media.
We demand authorities in the region to stop weaponizing the law to attack journalists and undermine press freedom. We also call for their immediate release and for them to be allowed to work freely without any fear of retaliation.
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