Is it really true, as claimed by several critics, President John Magufuli is deliberately targeting freedom of expression.
The new law regulating online-related content in Tanzania titled as the Electronic and Postal Communications (Online Content) Regulations 2017 requires bloggers, onine radio and television streaming service providers need to pay an annual fee of more than $900 apart from applying for a license before publishing any material online.
The law was signed this year in mid-March and initially published by the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA). Voices in protest have been seen rising in the country with this and critics say the move is to gag dissident voices in Tanzania.
Social media users and online forums too are affected with the new law as it gives the government the right to revoke a permit if the content causes annoyance or else lead to public disorder.
The law also adds a fine of up to $2,200 can be levied from bloggers for publishing such content.
In recent past some media organizations were shut down by the government for certain periods. Four newspapers were suspended in the country including Swahili daily Tanzania Daima, which went out of print for ninety days.
Some journalists were arrested last year and couple of others have gone missing. Content related to corruption in the country led to the detention of editor of Jamii Forums, a popular discussion platform in Tanzania
The country’s political analyst Jenerali Ulimwengu said, “We can say that the freedom of expression in this country is progressively being shut down, constructed and seriously limited.”
