Tanzanian government muzzles The East African

The ban on The East African has been condemned by diplomats who are worried that the government might be launching attacks on the press in time for October’s general elections.

In a joint statement by European Union nations, along with Canada, the diplomats expressed concern by the suspension and said that even though the media has to work within the law, “press freedom and freedom to express opinions are fundamental rights of the people, which call for circumspection and proportionality in the application of the law.”

The Nation Media Group which owns the banned paper said that the newspaper’s Tanzanian chief, Christopher Kidanka, was questioned last week by senior information ministry officials and accused of “having a negative agenda against Tanzania”.

The suspension of the paper was conveyed in a letter dated January 21st in which The East African was ordered to immediately stop publishing, printing and circulating in Tanzania “until it has officially been registered by Registrar of Newspaper, Tanzania Information Services.”

Source: Sabahi Online