Tanzanian president Samia Suluhu said the closed media houses would be allowed to resume operations but they should adhere to the law.
- The head of state at the same time, revoked the appointment of Tanzania Communication Regulatory Authority (TCRA) director-general James Kilaba and replaced him with Jabir Kuwe
- John Magufuli who died in March was, despite his impressive development agenda, criticised for silencing the Opposition and trampling on freedoms of media and expression
Tanzanian president Samia Suluhu has directed all media houses that had been shut down during the late John Pombe Magufuli's administration to resume operations, in what would be a big win for press freedom.
The soft-spoken East African leader who took the oath of office after her predecessor's death announced the good news on Tuesday, April 6.
"The Ministry of Information, I hear there are media outlets you have closed, please let them resume their operations, but they should adhere to all the laws and guidelines released by the government. Let's not give them a chance to say we have suppressed media freedoms, "Suluhu stated.
Tanzanian Newspaper That Published Ad Mourning President Samia Suluhu Fires Senior Editors: "Uzembe"
Suluhu, at the same time, revoked the appointment of Tanzania Communication Regulatory Authority (TCRA) director-general James Kilaba, and replaced him with Jabir Kuwe.
Polished steel with protective coatingDusson
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Kilaba had served as TCRA boss since 2016 when he was appointed by the then president John Magufuli.
Kuwe's sacking came a few days after Tanzanians protested the move to increase data charges forcing the increase to be suspended under Suluhu's orders.
Magufuli who died on Wednesday, March 17, from heart-related complications, was, despite his impressive development agenda, criticised for silencing the Opposition and trampling on freedoms of media and expression.
In May 2020, for instance, two Kenyan journalists were arrested in Tanzania while covering coronavirus stories.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Interior, Clinton Isimbu and Kaleria Shadrack, both from Elimu TV, were in the country illegally and were detained at the Immigration offices in Arusha.
The duo was apprehended at Namanga after they were found interviewing locals on COVID-19 matters in the virus-ravaged East African nation.
"The two suspects got into the country using unofficial routes, and they have been held at the Immigration department for further disciplinary actions," the statement read.