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March/April, 2012 Waliomeremeta Issue No. 182 August, 2019 Unprecedented crackdown on media News News News CPJ takes arrest of Another Freedom of press Kabendera, Gwanda’s investigative locked at disappearance to SADC journalist arrested Segerea? Page5 Page 8 Page 13 MCT, WINNER OF 2003 IPI FREE MEDIA PIONEER AWARD EDITORIAL Let media practice real journalism espite initiatives and repeated appeals for sobriety in the working relationship between state security organs – mainly the police and the media, the reality is the opposite and it appears the appeals are falling Don deaf ears. It has been and is continuing to be a common practice or exercise for the security organs to use the media for publicity but to arrest journalists whenever opportunities arise. The incidents of arrests and harassing of journalists are many. At one point police followed journalists to newsrooms to interrogate them on their coverage especially of political meetings – mainly by the opposition. Police have arrested and most times confiscated or destroyed working equipment of journalists and at times even erase photos of captured events which police distaste. The journalists are manhandled during arrests as if they were bandits or long sought dangerous fugitives. The Press Freedom Violations Register of the Media Council of Tanzania (MCT) has captured and documented a lot of incidents Editorial Board of harassments, threats and even kidnapping of journalists. Kajubi Mukajanga As you read this comment, the police have yet to provide MCT significant information on journalist Azory Gwanda who has EXECUTIVE SECRETARY disappeared since November 21, 2017. The obnoxious legislations enacted - the Cybercrime Act, the Media Services Act, the Statistics Act and a coterie of stingy David Mbulumi regulations add salt to the wound making operations of the PROGRAMME MANAGER media difficult while providing lethal ammunition for state security operatives to continue to pounce hard on journalists Hamis Mzee and the media in general. EDITOR But why this attitude by the authorities to keep the media in check? This is a free country, where views whether pro – the administration or alternative, must be allowed. The media, not only as purveyor and agitator of opinion, both pro-and COVER PHOTO alternative, must operate without hindrance. The trend that is assuming currency in the country is that views and opinions are exclusively a right of the authorities, while the rest must listen, follow and implement. We simply remind the powers, that it is not useful for them if the media only plays the praising and propaganda role. Let it be free to practice real journalism which is credible as this would help expose vices to be ridden from the society. Only active as opposed to docile media which the authorities seem to pamper and like, will provide such information that Investigative Journalist, Erick would give feedback to the authorities and scare wrong doers. Kabendera, is at Kisutu Magistrate So instead of state security organs continually harassing the Court, where he was arraigned for media, they should promote such relationship that would make alleged “economic crimes”. the work of both sides easier for the betterment of the country. 2 August 2019 News The Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Dr. Harrison Mwakyembe (seated) in a group photo with representatives and heads of various media outlets and institutions after a recent consultative meeting. Equally the passing of MSA Regulations have adversely affected the economy of media outlets, as most media houses depend on Media experiences advertisement by the government. The Regulations have centralized government advertising and have given the Director of Information Services powers to allocate advertisement to media houses. unprecedented Editors are complaining that outlets that do not follow the official narrative are denied advertising. The draconian laws are also used to crackdown impinge on citizen rights to access information By MW Reporter use in 2018 to the detriment of the media and freedom of expression and press freedom and civic space including the Media Services to the extent that organisations dealing with Act (MSA), 2016, the Statistics Act 2015 (and he media is witnessing unprecedented issues of accountability, human rights and use of laws against it and the civil its 2018 Amendments), the Cyber Crimes Act, access to information were almost not sure society, the 2018 annual Report of 2015 and Online Content Regulations 2018 of what tomorrow would bring, the annual the Media Council of Tanzania (MCT) the Electronic and Postal Communications Act. Report of MCT states. Tstates. The crackdown has relegated media to According to the Report which account the Bad laws have been there since the passing praise singing compelling it to self censorship activities carried by the Council for the year, of the erstwhile Newspaper Act of 1976 which is killing journalistic innovation and stakeholders have appreciated the fact that and other laws, but the media had never investigative writing. the situation was not changing anytime soon experienced such crackdown as the case is The situation is further compounded by and resolved that the only recourse which now. the Online Regulations and the Statistics remained was courtrooms where justice The Report cites some of the laws with Act making it dangerous to do independent might be availed. draconian provisions which were put to full journalism even on development issues. Continues on page 4 3 Media Council of Tanzania Newsletter News Journalists at work Media experiences unprecedented crackdown From page 3 partners are committed to continue dialogue information there should be a review board “Some CSOs and media organizations have with the Government through relevant which will deal with complaints ( a quasi-judicial joined forces to seek interpretation of laws and ministries and officials and through Parliament. body); regulations on various sections which impinge The Council , the Report says, has enjoyed • ATI regulations should explain clearly people’s basic rights”, the Report says. cordial relationship with the Ministry of that charges for information will be for By the end of 2018 at least five cases Constitutional and Legal Affairs and has photocopying or burning CD/DVD; had been opened, three at High Court of agreed to work together to build capacity of • The ATI Act does not say what will happen Tanzania and two at the East African Court of government information officers with regard to if information seekers are not satisfied; Justices (EACJ). Government decisions to ban Access to Information law. • The Act should allow non-citizens to be newspapers have been challenged in courts and The Council also engaged intensively given information so long as it is not to be have so far failed to stand the test. with high level officials of the Ministry of misused. During a high level meeting for media Information, including the Permanent Secretary. The two parties agreed that they will work owners and editors organized by the Council It is the Council’s belief that dialogue can together to ensure sensitization seminars are mid last year, it was revealed that acts of press help the Government see and understand the conducted countrywide to make information freedom violation have been on the rise where stakeholders outcry, the Report points out. officers understand the ATI Act. cases of threats, assaults, harassment, fines, A delegation composed of members of During the World Press Freedom Day on denial of access to information, disappearance the Ethics Committee and of the Coalition on May 3, 2018 the Council also met with the and banning of media outlets have contributed Right to Information (CoRI) held a dialogue Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and to increased fear among media owners. with the Minister for Constitutional Affairs Sports, Dr. Harrison Mwakyembe who told the The Council and various partners, according Prof. Palamagamba Kabudi on August 15, 2018. MCT team that the government was open for to the report, have been working together to CoRI – chaired by MCT brings together discussion in matters they thought were not support journalists and media houses whose several bodies – Sikika, Tanganyika Law Society conducive to the media. rights have been violated. (TLS), Media Institute of Southern Africa - The Minister noted that although taking By the end of the year five media outlets Tanzania Chapter (MISA- Tan), Twaweza, Legal measures for advocacy including litigation and four journalists were being or had been and Human Rights Centre (LHRC), Tanzania are a right to anyone, dialogue between supported to get justice. editors Forum (TEF), Tanzania Human Rights government and stakeholders would be more MCT was successful in four court cases Defenders Coalition (THRDC), Media Owners convenient. it supported being those of MwanaHALISI, Association of Tanzania (MOAT), Tanzania As for Zanzibar, the Council and partners Mawio, Mseto newspapers which were banned Media Women Association (TAMWA), Policy had met with senior Government officials by the government and journalists Christopher Forum, TCIB and Article 19. and their discussions centred on the issue of Gamaina and colleague George Ramadhani During the meeting with the Minister, MCT repealing the Registration of News Agents, who was acquitted by Resident Magistrate presented issues requesting him to improve on Newspaper and Books Act (No 5, 1988). Court in Mwanza of tramped up charges of Access