Cancelation of 'Tanzania Daima' licence is another gesture of intolerance to free expression in Tanzania 

On June 23, 2020, the government of the United Republic of Tanzania announced the cancellation of the Swahili newspaper 'Tanzania Daima' from publishing and circulating the newspaper both in Tanzania and outside Tanzania. According to the statement by the  Director of the Information Services Department, Tanzania Daima is alleged for repeated publication of defamatory, seditious and false information against the government which infringe on the media laws and journalism ethics contrary to the Media Services Act, 2016. 

Recently the East African Court ruled against the vague and restrictive provisions under the Media Services Act, 2016 and order the government of Tanzania to take necessary measure to bring the Act into compliance with the treaty establishing the East African Community in which Tanzania is a party. 

According to the Tanzania Human Rights Report, since 2016 when the Media Services Act was enacted, several newspapers including Mwananchi, The Citizen, Mawio, Mseto, Tanzania Daima and Nipashe, have been subjected to various punishments including fines, ban and cancellation of publishing licences.             

Legal and Human Rights Centre is concerned with the continuation of the crackdown on freedom of expression and press freedom in Tanzania and calls on the government to consider protection and promotion of these basic human rights.