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Press Freedom Groups Accuse Tanzania of Squeezing Media Ahead of Elections

Charles Kombe

   DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA - Press freedom groups and journalists have
   accused Tanzania's government of silencing critics of President John
   Magufuli ahead of the October 28 election. Tanzanian authorities this
   year suspended a number of media groups from broadcasting or
   publishing, raising concerns about growing censorship.

   As Tanzanians prepare to vote for a president on October 28, press
   freedom groups say media critical of the government have been targeted
   in a campaign of intimidation.

   The Media Institute of Southern Africa in Tanzania (MISA) says that in
   the days leading up to the election, they have recorded a number of
   incidents of police harassing reporters.

   MISA Chairperson Salome Kitomari says the organization has been trying
   to work with the police to ensure journalists are protected.

   She says there have been incidences of journalists attacked or targeted
   when performing their duties and this is what made them collaborate and
   discuss the issue. Police should first inspect areas where political
   events are held to ensure that they are safe for journalists, says
   Kitomari, and also to advise them.

   Allegations of censorship have increased in the run-up to Tanzania's
   election, with communications authorities suspending and fining several
   media that reported opposition criticism.

   Online channel Kwanzaa TV lost its license after posting a speech by
   opposition leader Tundu Lissu, which authorities called seditious.

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