The company was subsequently barred from publishing any online content during that time....CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE
The government of Tanzania has suspended the license of Mwananchi Communications Limited, a subsidiary of Nation Media Group (NMG).
In 2001 Mwananchi Communications Ltd was acquired by the regional media house, which is based in Nairobi, Kenya. Mwananchi Communications Limited was established in May 1999 by Ambassador Ferdinand Ruhinda as Media Communications Ltd before NMG bought it.
In a statement, the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) revealed that the media company had its license suspended for the next 30 days.
The company was subsequently barred from publishing any online content during that time. Based in Tanzania, Mwananchi Communicationsย publishes several leading newspapers, including Mwananchi (a daily Swahili paper), The Citizen, Sunday Citizen, Mwananchi Jumapili, Mwananchi Scoop, and Mwanaspoti.
These publications cater to a broad readership in Tanzania, offering content in both Swahili and English.
“Notice is hereby given to the General Public that, following the publication of the prohibited content, which is a violation of the law, TCRA has suspended the Online Media Services Licences issued to Mwananchi Communications Limited t/a The Citizen, Mwananchi Digital, Mwananchi and Mwanaspoti and ordered it to suspend the provision of online media services in the United Republic of Tanzania for a period of thirty (30) days from the date of this notice, pending other regulatory actions being undertaken,” stated TCRA in part.
TCRA is a Government body established under the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority Act, No.12 of 2003, to regulate the Electronic and Postal Communication Services in the United Republic of Tanzania.
The authority, which can be likened to Kenya’s Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), revealed that on different occasions between 2023 and 2024, it issued online media services licences to Mwananchi Communications Limited trading as the four publications for provision of online media services in the United Republic.
“While providing the licensed services, in accordance with Regulation 16 of the Electronic and Postal Communications (Online Content) Regulations 2020, the licensee is required not to publish prohibited content that includes: content that is against the public order, content that aimed to ridicule and harm the reputation, prestige and status of the United Republic,” added the statement.
“On 01 October 2024, Mwananchi Communications Limited published audio-visual content on social media platforms, content that is prohibited pursuant to Regulation 16 of the Regulations cited above. Further, the published content threatens and is likely to affect and harm the national unity and social peace of the United Republic.”
Mwananchi Communications, throughย The Citizenย publication, posted an animation video online depicting President Samia Suluhu watching television. The viral video depicted the head of state changing stations which aired citizens lamenting about the deplorable state of the country and calling for change from the government.
โThe political status of our country is not good at all. First of all, we as the opposing party, are in a funeral, our leader has been kidnapped and murdered violently,โ one person stated before the cartoon depiction of the president changed the station.
โI have a request to make to the president, please do not ignore,โ a person in the switched station said.
In September, police arrested Tanzaniaโs top opposition figures as the authorities moved to block a mass protest in the commercial capital Dar es Salaam.
Moreover, Chadema party, the opposition, accused Suluhuโs government of returning the country to the repressive tactics of her predecessor, John Magufuli.
In response, the media company advised consumers to look out for their physical publications as they attempt to resolve the matter.
โMwananchi Communications Limited (MCL) remains committed to delivering exceptional journalism that empowers the nation. We will continue to serve you, our esteemed readers, through our daily print editions, and other non-online products and offerings as we engage the regulators on a way forward,” read a statement from the media companyโฆCLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES>>>
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