Tanzania suspends newspaper after report alleging gov't divisions
Tanzanian authorities have suspended the newspaper Mwanahalisi following reports alleging internal divisions within the government and the vice-president's reluctance to step down. The government cited a lack of balance and verification in the reporting as the primary reason for the penalty.
Why it matters
The suspension highlights ongoing concerns regarding press freedom and the narrowing of political space in Tanzania.
International observers have warned of narrowing civil and political rights in the country, which last year saw hundreds massacred during election unrest.
The suspension of Mwanahalisi -- a newspaper long critical of the government -- takes effect immediately and covers both the newspaper's print and electronic editions, the Information Services Department said in a Swahili statement.
Authorities said it followed the publication of a story earlier this month alleging Tanzania's vice-president Emmanuel Nchimbi was unwilling to step down from his position following pressure from the ruling party.
Quoting anonymous sources, the paper alleged the vice-president had disagreed with President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Authorities said the report lacked balance and verification, noting Nchimbi had not been interviewed and claims attributed to the country's information minister were not independently confirmed.
"The Director of Information Services determined that the newspaper should receive a more severe penalty than the previous one," the statement said.
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