Tanzania’s new reform-minded government has banned a tabloid for “inflammatory” journalism

Tanzanian press freedom activists want the government to update its broad media freedom laws. (AFP/Getty Images/Daniel Hayduk)

WRITTEN BYOmar Mohammed

January 20, 2016 Quartz Africa

Recently-elected Tanzanian president John Magufuli has garnered regional praise for his reformist proposals aimed at rooting out government corruption and incompetence. But his administration is facing its first real test of that agenda following a decision to ban a tabloid for producing journalism it says could threaten the country’s stability.

On Monday (Jan. 18), Nape Nnauye, Tanzania’s new information minister, told reporters that the government will invoke the 1976Newspaper Act to de-register the weekly tabloid Mawio and restrict the publication from operating entirely, even through online platforms.

“The government regrets taking this decision but it was compelled to act due to the newspaper’s continuous writing and publication of content that is inciteful and threatening to the peace, stability and security of our country,” Nnauye said (in Kiswahili).

In the past, the act has been used to unilaterally ban publications that authorities claim are undermining the law of the land. Just this week,the government allowed the return of the East African, a regional publication that was stopped from circulating in early 2015 for allegedly not “being properly registered,” even though the paper has been operating in the country for more than two decades.

Nnauye claimed that Mawio has demonstrated a culture of publishing incendiary content and, despite repeated warnings, has refused to tone down its “inflammatory” coverage. He cited two recent articles related to the tense situation in Zanzibar, which is in political limbo followingthe annulment of its presidential elections last October.

One story, Nnauye said, suggested that the semi-autonomous Tanzanian archipelago was on the brink of violence, while another declared the opposition candidate the winner of the presidential campaign. Both stories, he claimed, put the security of the country at risk.

Mawio’s publisher and managing editor Simon Mkina disagreed with this characterization and said that the move to ban his newspaper is a sign of how much the government dislikes criticism. “Today’s is a world of free speech, and the purpose of any newspaper is to move the development circle forward,” he told local media. “But sadly our government doesn’t want to be criticized, they only want a ‘yes, yes’ media.”

“It’s very sad for the new government that promised to protect the free press that within 100 days [of being elected] you ban a newspaper,” Erick Kabendera, an award-winning journalist who writes for regional and international publications, tells Quartz.

If the government truly wants to improve the quality of local journalism, Kabendera says, it needs to rethink its approach. “Banning a newspaper will not solve the problem of bad journalism. What will solve the problem is a conversation between media owners, government and the press coming together and agreeing on a framework that bad journalism will not be tolerated,” he says. “That framework is new media legislation accepted by all sides.”

Current press laws are outdated

Activists have long argued that Tanzania’s current media laws give too much power to the government, and need to be updated to provide for a neutral body to adjudicate disputes.

Invoking the Newspaper Act in the banning of Mawio, critics say, sets back efforts at media law reform, and calls into doubt Magufuli’s statedcommitment to protecting press freedom in the country.

“For a more than a decade, we’ve been fighting for a better law, a more progressive law, a more media-friendly law,”Kajubi Mukajanga of the Media Council of Tanzania (MCT), an advocacy group, tells Quartz.

Those efforts have yet to bear fruit. Last year, the government tried to introduce legislation which had the declared aim of updating the country’s media laws. However, MCT and others in the media space lobbied against the legislation, arguing that the bills would furtherundermine press freedom.

Tanzania dropped six spots in last year’s Reporters Without Borders press freedom index. Nevertheless, east Africa’s second largest economy was still ranked as the best country in the region in terms of press freedom.

Last year’s passage of the Statistics Bill and the Cyber Crimes Act also alarmed free speech advocates, who argue the legislation restricts open dialogue and could limit the media’s ability to do their job effectively. The banning of Mawio will not help the government combat those criticisms.

Mukajanga still believes there is still room to lobby the new administration for a better working environment for the press.

“We need new laws,” he says. “We’ve engaged with the minister to draft more progressive laws.” 

Tanzania’s new reform-minded government has banned a tabloid for “inflammatory” journalism. PRESS UNDER PRESSURE

TIGO WAPATA UGENI WA WANAFUNZI WA CHUO KIKUU CHA HARVARD

Mkurungezi mkuu wa Tigo Tanzania Diego Gutierrez akizungumza na wanafunzi kutoka chuo kikuu cha Harvard, Marekani waliopo nchini kwa ziara ya kimasomo na walitembelea leo makao makuu ya Tigo Kijitonyama kupata taarifa za uwekezaji uliofanywa na kampuni ya Tigo katika sekta ya mawasiliano. 

Mkurungezi Mkuu wa Tigo Tanzania Diego Gutierrez akiwa katika picha ya pamoja na wanafunzi toka chuo kikuu cha Harvard cha Marekani waliopo nchini kwa ziara ya kimasomo na walitembelea leo makao makuu ya Tigo Kijitonyama kupata taarifa uwekezaji uliofanywa na kampuni ya Tigo katika sekta ya mawasiliano. 

MULTCHOICE TANZANIA YAPATA CHAI YA PAMOJA NA WANAHABARI KATIKA HALFA YA KUKARIBISHA MWAKA MPYA

Meneja Masoko wa Multichoice Tanzania, Furaha Samalu akiwaongoza wanahabari kupata chai maalum iliyoandaliwa na kampuni hiyo kwa ajili ya kuukaribisha mwaka mpya pamoja na kufahamiana zaidi ikiwemo huduma na utendaji kazi kwa hapa nchini. (Picha zote na Andrew Chale, modewjiblog).

Baadhi ya wanahabari wakiwa katika shughuli hiyo maalum iliyoandaliwa kwa ajili yao na MultChoice Tanzania ambao ni wasambazaji wa ving'amuzi vya DSTV kwa Tanzania.

Baadhi ya wanahabari wakipata Chai katika shughuli hiyo maalum iliyoandaliwa kwa ajili yao na MultChoice Tanzania ambao ni wasambazaji wa ving'amuzi vya DSTV kwa Tanzania.

Watendaji wa Multchoice Tanzania wakitoa shukrani zao kwa wanahabari waliofika katika mwaliko maalum wa kuukaribisha mwaka pamoja na kufahamiana zaidi halfa iliyofanyika mapema asubuhi ya leo katika makao makuu ya kampuni hiyo jijini Dar es Salaam. 

Meneja Masoko wa Multichoice Tanzania, Furaha Samalu (kulia) akiwa na Shumbana Walwa wa kampuni hiyo akipata picha ya kumbukumbu.

Washindi watatu ambao ni wanahabari wakipata picha ya pamoja na zawaidi zao ambao wamejishindia ving'amuzi vya DStv na hofa za kifurushi cha mwezi mmoja pamoja na kufungiwa bure majumbani kwao.

Wanahabari walioshinda vifurushi vya mwezi vya "Premium" wakipata picha ya pamoja na maafisa wa Multchoice Tanzania 

Meneja Masoko wa Multichoice Tanzania, Furaha Samalu (kulia) akizungumza na wanahabari kuhusiana na siku hiyo maalum ya kukaribisha mwaka mpya pamoja na kuandaa chai maalum kwa wanahabari.

Wanahabari wakibadilishana mawazo na Meneja uendeshaji wa Multichoice Tanzania, Ronald Shelukindo katika halfa hiyo makao ya kampuni hiyo jijini Dar es Salaam.

DKT. KIGWANGALLA AUNDA KIKOSI KAZI KUBORESHA HUDUMA ZA MFUKO WA AFYA YA JAMII

Naibu Waziri wa Wizara ya Afya, Maendeleo ya Jamii, Jinsia, Watoto na Wazee, Dkt. Hamisi Kigwangalla.

Na Rabi Hume

Naibu Waziri wa Wizara ya Afya, Maendeleo ya Jamii, Jinsia, Watoto na Wazee, Dkt. Hamisi Kigwangalla ameanzisha kikosi kazi cha watu 24 ambacho kitakuwa na kazi ya kutengeneza mpango mkakati wa kuwezesha kuboresha Mfuko wa Afya ya Jamii (CHF).

Katika taarifa ambayo imetolewa na Dkt. Kigwangala imeeleza kuwa kazi ya kuanzisha kikosi kazi hicho ni agizo kutoka kwa Waziri wa Wizara ya Afya, Maendeleo ya Jamii, Jinsia, Watoto, Mhe. Ummy Mwalimu ambaye alimtaka aanzishe kikosi hicho ili washirikiane kuanzisha mpango mkakati wa kuwezesha kuboresha Mfuko wa Afya ya Jamii.

“Waziri wa Afya, Maendeleo ya Jamii, Jinsia, Wazee na Watoto, Mhe. Ummy Ally Mwalimu alinipa kazi ya kuunda kikosi kazi maalum na kushirikiana nacho kutengeneza mpango mkakati wa kuboresha Mfuko wa Afya ya Jamii (CHF),” alisema Dkt. Kigwangalla.

Dkt. Kigwangalla amewataja wajumbe wa kikosi kazi hicho kuwa ni Prof. Angwara Kiwara, Prof. Phares Mujinja, Dkt. Francis Frederick, Dkt. Heri Marwa, Dkt. Deogratius Pisa, Dkt. Amos Kahwa, Irenei Kiria, Semkae Kilonzo, Gemini Mtei, Dkt. Jehovaness Aikaeli na Obey Assey.

Wengine ni Mathias Kabunduguru, Dkt. Dereck Chitama, Prof. Flora Kessy, Florence Mwanri, Athuman Rehani, Maximillian Mapunda, Bedason Shallanda, Daniel Ngowi, Beng' Issa, Edwin Mikongoti, Hussein Sengu, Dkt. Beatus Leon na Dkt. Pastory Sekule.

Aidha Dkt. Kigwangalla amewashukuru wajumbe hao kwa kukubali kufanya kazi na wizara ya afya kupitia mpango mkakati wa kuwezesha kuboresha Mfuko wa Afya ya Jamii bila malipo yoyote.

Hata hivyo mara baada ya kuwachagua wajumbe wa kikosi kazi hicho tayari kimependekeza mapendekezo yao jinsi ya kuboresha Mfuko wa Afya ya Jamii ambayo ni kuipa nguvu kadi ya CHF ili itumike kwenye mfumo wa Afya mpaka ngazi ya Hospitali za Rufaa za Mikoa na vituo vya Jirani na kupandisha kiwango cha kuchangia CHF mpaka 30,000.

Mapendekezo mengine ni kuweka bei za kukatisha tamaa watumiaji wa huduma za Afya bila kadi ya Bima ya Afya ama ya CHF na kuwahamasisha waamue kujiunga kuliko kulipa gharama za kila huduma watakayotumia, kuhamisha Mfuko wa fedha za CHF kutoka Halmashauri na kuupeleka NHIF ngazi ya mkoa lengo likiwa kumtenganisha mtoa huduma na mteja na kuweka 10,000 kuwa kiwango cha chini kwa bei za huduma za afya sehemu yoyote nchini kwa mtu asiye na kadi.

Aidha mapendekezo yao yatatumika kama serikali itayaridhia na wao wametoa mapendekezo hayo kutokana na kutambua kuwa Watanzania wapo tayari kulipia huduma za afya kwa bima ilimradi wawe wanapatiwa huduma bora ambazo zitawaridhisha.

Back Pain During Pregnancy

Oh, your aching back! What causes the stiffness and back pain during pregnancy, and how a pregnant woman can manage.

If pregnancy is becoming a pain in your back, you’re not alone — backaches are one of the most common symptoms among the expecting set.

And, unfortunately, backache often starts early on in your pregnancy — sometime around week 18 — and persists (or worsens) until you give birth (when it’s replaced by postpartum back pain).
What causes backache during pregnancy

As your belly gets bigger throughout your pregnancy, a hormone called relaxin causes the otherwise stable joints in your pelvis to loosen up in order to allow easier passage of your baby during delivery. Add to that the weight of your growing uterus, and your balance gets thrown as your center of gravity shifts forward. In turn, your lower back curves more than usual to accommodate the load – resulting in strained muscles and, you guessed it, soreness, stiffness and pain.

What you need to know

If you’re feeling sharp, shooting pain that starts in your back or buttocks and radiates down your legs, you may be experiencing sciatica. The good news about any kind of back pain during pregnancy is that it's as curable as it is common. There are many ways to relieve it – so if one solution doesn’t work, another probably will.

What you can do
Watch your posture when you’re sitting. Lounging around in a chair all day actually puts more strain on your spine than anything else. At home and at work, make sure the chairs you use most provide good support, preferably with a straight back, arms, and a firm cushion. Use a footrest to elevate your feet slightly, and don’t cross your legs. That can cause your pelvis to tilt forward, exacerbating those strained back muscles.

Take breaks. Walk or stand and stretch at least once an hour. Sitting too long can make your back hurt even more. Try not to stand too long, either. If you work on your feet, try to place one foot on a low stool to take some pressure off your lower back.

Avoid lifting heavy loads. If you must, do it slowly. Stabilize yourself by assuming a wide stance; bend at the knees, not at the waist; and lift with your arms and legs, not your back.
Watch your weight. Keep your weight gain where it should be (extra weight is extra hard on any back).

Wear the right shoes. Extremely high heels are out — as are completely flat ones. Experts recommend a 2-inch heel to keep your body in proper alignment. You might also consider orthotics, special shoe inserts designed for muscle support.

Get a firm mattress. If yours isn’t, place a board underneath for the duration of your pregnancy. A body pillow (at least 5 feet long) can also help you find stress-minimizing sleeping positions.

Consider a crisscross support sling. Designed specifically for a pregnant figure, it will help take the burden of your belly’s weight off your lower back.

No reaching for the stars. Or the cookies on the top shelf, for that matter. Use a low, stable, step stool to get items from high places and you’ll avoid additional strain. (Better still, leave the cookies where they are.)

Think happy thoughts. A calm mind leads to a looser back. You can also try some prenatal yoga, which will relax both your mind and your back.

Strengthen your stomach. Do pelvic tilts to strengthen your abs, which in turn support your back. Or sit on an exercise ball and rock bath and forth.

Go hot and cold. Soothe sore muscles by applying cold compresses, then warm compresses in 15-minute intervals.
Take a warm bath. Or turn the showerhead to pulsating for a free back massage.

Get a massage. Talking about massages, go get one (after the first trimester and with a masseuse who knows you’re pregnant and is trained in the art of prenatal massage).

Talk to your doctor. If your back pain is significant, ask your practitioner about physical therapists, alternative medicine specialists (such as acupuncturists), or chiropractors who might be able to help.

Mugabe lives to rule another day

Owen Gagare, Herbert Moyo

Every year the media and assorted 'prophets' predict his death, but he keeps on keeping on. Staying power: President Robert Mugabe has joked about previous reports of his death, saying: 'I have died many times – that's where I have beaten Christ. [He] died once and resurrected once.' (Delwyn Verasamy, M&G)


“‘“You doubt that there can be a new year, but you cannot doubt that there will be a story on the president’s alleged death every January,” said President Robert Mugabe’s spokesperson, George Charamba, on Wednesday in response to yet another rumour that Zimbabwe’s veteran ruler was dead after suffering a heart attack.

Rumours that Mugabe, who turns 92 next month, was hospitalised after collapsing while on holiday in the Far East, started doing the rounds on Monday and escalated on Tuesday, generating global interest, if discussions on social media are anything to go by.

Although Zimbabweans have become accustomed to these rumours, which spread almost every year when Mugabe goes on his annual leave, many believed that perhaps this time the rumour could be true given the president’s deteriorating health and advanced age.

Throughout last year, Zimbabweans were constantly reminded that the only president they have known since independence in 1980 had lost his stamina and was not “as fit as a fiddle”, as his lieutenants would have them believe.

In January, he fell at the Harare International Airport in front of service chiefs, government officials and hundreds of Zanu-PF supporters who had thronged to the airport to congratulate him on being elected chairperson of the African Union – an embarrassing incident that went viral on social media.

In September, questions were asked about his mental state when he read the wrong speech at the official opening of Parliament. It was a repeat of his State of the Nation address in the same house, two weeks earlier, but he did not realise his mistake.

In October, he was saved from falling at the India-Africa Forum Summit in New Delhi by the timely intervention of India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Nonetheless, the incident was captured live by television cameras and he soon became the butt of jokes on social media.

But perhaps the chief reason why many Zimbabweans believed this week’s rumour was because of a prophecy by Nigerian “prophet” TB Joshua who, on January 3, cryptically stated that 2016 would be a year of trouble for a Southern African president. He prophesised that the trouble would take place between February and April this year.

Many Zimbabweans thought reports about Mugabe collapsing would be a precursor to the problems Joshua prophesised.

“I am being careful so that the press does not misquote me, because the message is very sensitive and some direct words have been replaced to avoid causing panic,” Joshua said in his televised prophecy. “Words such as peculiar are just a replacement of the actual sensitive direct word.

“End of February to April this year, peculiar months for Southern Africa. Organise prayer sessions for the leaders,” he added.

He said he would not reveal anything about the calamity likely to befall the leader because the message was highly sensitive.

Mugabe was not supposed to complete his term of office last year, if one believed the Malawian prophet, Austin Liabunya, who declared in 2014 that the Zimbabwean president would die in 2015.

That Mugabe has neither collapsed, suffered a heart attack nor died may be proof that no other state president has had the proverbial nine lives of a cat that he has. Mugabe has joked about this, stating four years ago that he had beaten Jesus Christ in this regard.

“I have died many times – that’s where I have beaten Christ. Christ died once and resurrected once,” he said in a televised interview to commemorate his 88th birthday. He was responding to rumours that had surfaced earlier that year suggesting that he had died while on his annual vacation in the Far East.

Many Zimbabweans believe incapacitation or death are the only ways Mugabe will leave power, hence the intense interest that rumours of his ill-health or death generate.

He has been at the helm of Zanu-PF since assuming the party presidency in 1977 and has ruled with an iron fist for 36 years.

Internally, he has ruthlessly dealt with any party official who dares to show presidential ambitions, while surrounding himself with sycophants who are only too willing and ready to serve him blindly.

Party heavyweights such as former politburo members Edgar Tekere and Eddison Zvobgo and former vice-president Joice Mujuru were shown Zanu-PF’s exit door for having presidential ambitions.

Mujuru was expelled from the party after losing the vice-presidency of both the state and Zanu-PF in December 2014.

Opposition parties have attributed Mugabe’s long stay in power to vote rigging and the abuse of state machinery, especially the army and the police, who play a critical role in the electoral process by, among other things, intimidating and harassing opposition supporters and officials.

That is why the opposition is also keeping a close watch on his health. – Zimbabwe Independent