Tanzania has suspended a weekly newspaper for six months over alleged breaches of media law, the information ministry said Wednesday, after the outlet published a story alleging government divisions.
International observers have warned of narrowing civil and political rights in the country, which last year saw hundreds massacred during election unrest.
The suspension of Mwanahalisi — a newspaper long critical of the government — takes effect immediately and covers both the newspaper’s print and electronic editions, the Information Services Department said in a Swahili statement.
Authorities said it followed the publication of a story earlier this month alleging Tanzania’s vice-president Emmanuel Nchimbi was unwilling to step down from his position following pressure from the ruling party.
Quoting anonymous sources, the paper alleged the vice-president had disagreed with President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Authorities said the report lacked balance and verification, noting Nchimbi had not been interviewed and claims attributed to the country’s information minister were not independently confirmed.
“The Director of Information Services determined that the newspaper should receive a more severe penalty than the previous one,” the statement said.
Earlier this year, the outlet was issued a warning after publishing a story loosely translated as: “When will the 2021 Samia meet the 2026 Samia?”
Hassan became president following the death of authoritarian leader John Magufuli in March 2021 and was initially praised for easing restrictions on the opposition and media.
Authorities also cited an error over a photograph of the information minister captioned as Nchimbi.
Under Tanzania’s Media Services Act, the newspaper has 30 days to appeal the decision.
The government added that it had summoned another newspaper, Jamvi la Habari, to explain recent stories that may have breached regulations.
Mwanahalisi was among four newspapers permitted to resume publishing in February 2022 after having been banned under Magufuli.
Tanzania ranks 117th out of 180 countries in press freedom, according to media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
By Agencies
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