Tanzania planning to lift media bans

By Alfred Mushi

The authorities in Tanzania say they plan to lift bans and suspensions on media organisations which had been barred from operating.

Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Constitution and Legal Affairs, Amon Mpanju, said the the government has been holding talks with media owners and the Tanzania Human Rights Defenders' Coalition. 

"We were all looking at revising some law provisions to ensure that we set free all banned media outlets,” said Mr Mpanju in a statement.

He added that President Samia Suluhu Hassan had ordered the ministry to resolve press freedom challenges in the country. 

Ms Samia's predecessor, John Magufuli, was repeatedly accused of suppressing press freedom in Tanzania. 

Under his government, newspapers and critical websites were shut down or suspended and several journalists were arrested.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Photo: AFP