Tanzania has suspended online publications of Tanzania’s Mwananchi Communications Limited over what it termed as publication of “prohibited content”.
The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), the government body that regulates the electronic and postal communication services, issued an order suspending the provision of “online media services” of Mwananchi Communications Limited (MCL) for 30 days.
As a result, the affected products —The Citizen, Mwananchi Digital, Mwananchi and Mwanaspoti — will not be available online for the prescribed days.
“On October 1, 2024, Mwananchi Communications Limited published an audio-visual content in social media platforms, content that is prohibited… Further the published content threatens and is likely to affect and harm national unity and social peace of the United Republic,” said TCRA’s Director-General Jabiri K. Bakari in a statement.
He added: “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 Medial Services Licences issued to Mwananchi Communications Limited t/a The Citizen, Mwananchi Digital, Mwananchi and Mwanaspoti and ordered it to suspend 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.”
The suspension took effect immediately.
MCL posted messages of compliance on all its websites and social media pages, reiterating its commitment to resolving the matter with the regulator.
“Mwananchi 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,” MCL said in a notice to its audience.
MCL is a publication of the Nation Media Group.
The ‘prohibited content’ relates to an animation that MCL shared on The Citizen’s social media accounts regarding recent abductions and kidnappings in Tanzania. It prompted the regulator to shut down on all the company’s digital platforms.
“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 include: content that is against the public order, content that aimed to ridicule and harm the reputation, prestige and status of the United Republic,” read the TCRA statement.
According to the Tanzanian Electronic and Postal Communications (Online Content) Regulations, 2020, “a person shall not publish any prohibited content as set out in the Third Schedule.”
Further, the regulation states: “A person shall not render, possess or distribute technology, programme, application or any other related thing that allows or helps users to have access to prohibited content.”
The law does not, however, define the criteria for determining what constitutes a violation.
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Tanzania Confirms Second Marburg Outbreak After WHO Chief Visit
Dar es Salaam — Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has declared an outbreak of Marburg virus, confirming a single case in the northwestern region of Kagera after a meeting with WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The confirmation follows days of speculation about a possible outbreak in the region, after the WHO reported a number of deaths suspected to be linked to the highly infectious disease.
While Tanzania’s Ministry of Health declared last week that all suspected cases had tested negative for Marburg, the WHO called for additional testing at international reference laboratories.
“We never know when an outbreak might occur in a neighbouring nation. So we ensure infection prevention control assessments at every point of care as routine as a morning greeting at our workplaces.”Amelia Clemence, public health researcher
Subsequent laboratory tests conducted at Kagera’s Kabaile Mobile Laboratory and confirmed in Dar es Salaam identified one positive case, while 25 other suspected cases tested negative, the president told a press conference in Dodoma, in the east of the country today (Monday).
“The epicentre has now shifted to Biharamulo district of Kagera,” she told the press conference, distinguishing this outbreak from the previous one centred in Bukoba district.
Tedros said the WHO would release US$3 million from its emergencies contingency fund to support efforts to contain the outbreak.
Health authorities stepped up surveillance and deployed emergency response teams after the WHO raised the alarm about nine suspected cases in the region, including eight deaths.
The suspected cases displayed symptoms consistent with Marburg infection, including headache, high fever, diarrhoea, and haemorrhagic complications, according to the WHO’s alert to member countries on 14 January. The organisation noted a case fatality rate of 89 per cent among the suspected cases.
“We appreciate the swift attention accorded by the WHO,” Hassan said.
She said her administration immediately investigated the WHO’s alert.
“The government took several measures, including the investigation of suspected individuals and the deployment of emergency response teams,” she added.
Cross-border transmission
The emergence of this case in a region that experienced Tanzania’s first-ever Marburg outbreak in March 2023 has raised concerns about cross-border transmission, particularly following Rwanda’s recent outbreak that infected 66 people and killed 15 before being declared over in December 2024.
The situation is particularly critical given Kagera’s position as a transport hub connecting four East African nations.
Amelia Clemence, a public health researcher working in the region, says constant vigilance is required.
“We never know when an outbreak might occur in a neighbouring nation. So we ensure infection prevention control assessments at every point of care as routine as a morning greeting at our workplaces.”
The Kagera region’s ecosystem, home to fruit bats that serve as natural reservoirs for the Marburg virus, adds another layer of complexity to disease surveillance efforts.
The virus, closely related to Ebola, spreads through contact with bodily fluids and can cause severe haemorrhagic fever.
Transparency urged
Elizabeth Sanga, shadow minister of health for Tanzania’s ACT Wazalendo opposition party, says greater transparency would help guide public health measures.
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“This could have helped to guide those who are traveling to the affected region to be more vigilant and prevent the risk of further spread,” she said.
WHO regional director for Africa Matshidiso Moeti says early notification of investigation outcomes is important.
“We stand ready to support the government in its efforts to investigate and ensure that measures are in place for an effective and rapid response,” she said, noting that existing national capacities built from previous health emergencies could be quickly mobilised.
The situation coincides with leadership changes in Tanzania’s Ministry of Health, with both the chief medical officer and permanent secretary being replaced.
This piece was produced by SciDev.Net’s Sub-Saharan Africa English desk.
Source: allafrica.com
