Tanzanian authorities ban weekly indefinitely

New York, 31 Jul – (ANA) - The Tanzanian government today banned indefinitely the critical Swahili weekly MwanaHalisi, accusing the paper of publishing seditious articles, according to local journalists and a statement by the information ministry. The ministry claimed that MwanaHalisi’s  July editions contained seditious and false material but did not specify particular articles. Under the 1976 Newspaper Act, Tanzanian authorities can suspend a newspaper at will if they deem that it has “seditious intent,” according to CPJ research. MwanaHalisi Chief Editor Jabir Idrissa told CPJ that the paper is considering filing an appeal. Idrissa and other local journalists said they suspect the ban is related to a series of articles in MwanaHalisi concerning the kidnap and torture in late June of physician Steven Ulimboka. Unknown assailants kidnapped and beat Ulimboka on the outskirts of the main commercial city Dar es Salaam after he led a doctors’ strike, according to news reports. MwanaHalisi’s reports suggested involvement by authorities, citing phone records of an alleged security officer, Idrissa said. Tanzanian security services and President Jakaya Kikwete have denied government involvement, according to local and international reports. “Once again, Tanzanian authorities have wielded an archaic newspaper act and vague, unsupported accusations of sedition to censor reporting that is merely critical of the government,” said CPJ East Africa Consultant Tom Rhodes. “Authorities should reverse this ban immediately and allow MwanaHalisi to report on the Ulimboka case without fear of reprisal.” (ANA)

FA/ANA/31 July 2012--------------