Tanzanian government suspends newspapers

http://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade/2013/oct/01/press-freedom-tanzania

Version 0 of 1.

Two Tanzanian newspapers, including the respected and popular Mwananchi, have been suspended by the country's government for allegedly publishing classified information and seditious articles.

Mwananchi was suspended for 14 days from Saturday, while the second paper, Mtanzania, was given a 90-day suspension (as announced in Swahili in the official government blog).

It is believed there were objections to a Mwananchi story about new government salaries. Tido Mhando, managing director of the company that publishes Mwananchi, said the newspaper did not have an ulterior motive in publishing the story.

He said: "We think that we played our role by informing the public about the new government salary structure."

Politicians, academics and journalists have voiced their concern about the suspensions and called for the repeal of media laws, which they argue are restricting press freedom.

One observer criticised the government's heavy-handed response and argued that it amounted to "a shot across the bows" before the general election due in 2015.

A year ago, a paper called MwanaHalisi was suspended "indefinitely" and remains closed.

<em>Sources:</em> The Citizen (1) (2)

Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.