Govt threatens to ban Mwananchi

By The Citizen Reporter
Dar es Salaam.
The government has threatened to deregister the leading Kiswahili national newspaper, Mwananchi, for allegedly covering the fourth phase administration negatively.In a letter – Reference ISC/N.100/1/VOL.V/76 – sent to the Mwananchi managing editor, the government warns that it will not hesitate to take appropriate measures should the newspaper continue publishing what it refers to as “inciting news” against it.

“Upon receiving this letter, you are required to forthwith stop publishing inciting and humiliating news, which tarnish the country and the government, in the name of the freedom of expression stipulated in the Constitution.

“Should you continue publishing the articles, the government will not hesitate to suspend or deregister your newspaper as per the laws of the land,” reads part of the letter signed by Mr Raphael Hokororo, on behalf of the Newspapers Registrar, on October 11, 2010.

The letter written in Kiswahili and headed, “Karipio Kali kwa Kuandika Habari Zenye Mwelekeo wa Uchochezi wa Kudhalilisha” – a strong warning for writing inciting news bent on tarnishing the government’s image – is the second to the newspaper in less than a month.

The director of Tanzania Information Service (TIS), Mr Clement Mshana, wrote the first letter on September 24, 2010, demanding an explanation from Mwananchi for allegedly covering the government negatively.
Mr Mshana asserted in the letter (Ref No. ISC/N.100/1/VOL.V/70) that Mwananchi had only been publishing negative stories on the government, as if there was nothing commendable the current administration had done for the wananchi.

“For quite a long time now and during this election campaign period, in particular, your newspaper has been writing negative stories about the government. Such stories have been reproaching the incumbent fourth phase government,” the letter reads in part.

MCL, the publishers of Mwananchi, Mwanaspoti and The Citizen, said in its response that it could not understand the basis of the government’s allegations, which lacked examples of the disputed articles.

“After reading your letter thoroughly, it has been difficult for us to ascertain the basis of the government’s allegations towards the newspaper because there is no example of stories to support the so-called long-term allegations compounded by the ongoing campaign period,” reads the MCL letter, Ref. No. MCL/RN/09/VOL.1.27, signed by the managing editor, Mr Theophil Makunga.

Mr Makunga says in the letter that the campaign coverage basically involved all political parties, querying the reason why Mwananchi newspaper’s coverage is being considered negative, while the newspaper published news on the candidates on the tickets of different parties for the people to make informed decisions when they cast their ballots.

“For your information, Mwananchi newspaper has since the ongoing campaigns were flagged off on August 20, 2010, not received a single complaint from any of the political parties taking part in the General Election campaigns.
“Mwananchi basically reports what the different candidates say or do during their campaign rallies,” the MCL letter to the Registrar of Newspapers reads in part.

Mwananchi further asked the Registrar of Newspapers to clarify the government’s involvement in election campaigns for it to believe the newspaper was covering it negatively. The Registrar responded in his latest letter, saying that the MCL’s response was not satisfactory and that his office was not satisfied with the defence.

“Your newspaper has decided to make inciting and humiliating coverage against the incumbent government as its ‘house style’,” reads the letter.

In its warning, the government asserted that front-page photographs and news articles were deliberately exaggerated to incite wananchi to hate the government for failing to deliver. Reacting to the government warning, Mr Makunga said he was shocked that the government could take such a position without giving specific cases where the newspaper might have gone astray.

Said he: “The registrar did not cite any clause in media law(s), headline or article to prove that, indeed, Mwananchi was all out to cover the government negatively.”

According to him, the registrar’s decision amounts to an affront to press freedom, especially during this election period, where various groups in the society need to respect one another’s views. Following the misunderstanding, MCL has registered its concern with the Media Council of Tanzania (MCT), hoping that it will carry out a thorough investigation into the matter.

Mr Makunga added that MCL publications were guided by an editorial policy aimed at championing professionalism and integrity.

“Accuracy in reporting news is an integral part of our editorial policy and we do not entertain both internal and external pressures. Mwananchi will continue publishing what it believes to be true, fair and accurate in the context of the Editorial Code of Ethics for the development of our nation,” he said.