A weekly tabloid in Tanzania, Mawio newspaper has been banned from publication for two years by the country’s government after it linked former Presidents Benjamin Mkapa and Jakaya Kikwete with the mineral concentrates dispute, the Africa Review reports.
A statement imposing the ban from the Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and sports Dr Harrison Mwakyembe was released to the media by the Director of Information services Dr Hassan Abbasi on Thursday evening.
According to Dr Abbasi, the ban starts immediately.
Photographs of the former presidents was carried on the frontpage of Mawio’s Wednesday edition with a story explaining details of the two leaders’ role in the problems facing the mining sector in Tanzania.
“I have been left with no other option than to use powers conferred to me by the information services Act to impose a ban on Mawio from publication for the next 24 months,” read part of the letter from the minister to Mawio editor.
The newspaper has not only been banned from printing physical newspapers but also publishing on their digital and social media platforms.
The newspaper was accused of ignoring a government directive on reporting of the former presidents.
The country’s president John Magufuli on Wednesday warned the media against linking Mkapa and Kikwete with reports of the dispute with mining giant Acacia.
The warning was issued after he held talks with Barrick Gold Chairman Prof John Thomton at the State House on Wednesday.
“Media should stop tarnishing their reputation. They have done a great work in serving this country. We should let them rest,” the President said.
