The Tanzanian government has suspended the popular online discussion and news platform JamiiForums for 90 days, citing the publication of content that “misleads the public” and “defames” the president. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called on the authorities to lift the suspension and ensure that media can operate freely ahead of the country’s elections on October 29.
The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) announced the suspension on September 6, stating that JamiiForums had breached online content regulations. The platform’s founder, Maxence Melo, told the BBC that JamiiForums had complied with the directive and was no longer available to users in Tanzania. The suspension is believed to have been triggered by the publication of statements by Tanzanian politician Humphrey Polepole, as well as reports about President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s meeting with a wealthy Zimbabwean businessman.
Polepole, who resigned from his diplomatic post in July, has been critical of the government, describing the upcoming elections as a “sham.” The TCRA’s decision has been criticized for its use of vague and overly broad online content laws to silence critical commentary and restrict press freedom. The CPJ has expressed concern about the suspension’s impact on access to information ahead of the elections.
The Tanzanian government has faced criticism from political opponents and the United Nations about worsening repression. President Hassan, who assumed power after her predecessor’s death in 2021, is seeking to retain the presidency. The suspension of JamiiForums is the latest sign of the government’s deepening suppression of public discourse.
The CPJ has called on the authorities to restore JamiiForums’ license and stop using online content laws to restrict press freedom. The organization’s Regional Director, Angela Quintal, stated that the suspension raises concerns about access to information ahead of the elections. The TCRA did not respond to the CPJ’s queries, and the chief government spokesperson, Gerson Msigwa, did not answer written queries sent via messaging application.
The suspension of JamiiForums has significant implications for press freedom in Tanzania, particularly in the lead-up to the elections. The CPJ’s call for the authorities to lift the suspension and ensure that media can operate freely highlights the importance of a free and independent press in promoting democratic values and holding those in power accountable.
