Tcra suspends MCL’s digital publication for months

DAR ES SALAAM: The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) has suspended the online content licenses of three major brands under Mwananchi Communications Limited (MCL)—The Citizen, Mwananchi Digital, and Mwanaspoti for 30 days.

The suspension restricts these outlets from providing online media services while further regulatory actions are under review.

In a statement issued by the TCRA, the suspension follows MCL’s publication of audio-visual content on social media platforms that contravenes Regulation 16 of the Electronic and Postal Communications (Online Content) Regulations, 2020.

“On 1st October 2024, Mwananchi Communications Limited published an audio -visual content that is prohibited.  the content threatens and is likely to affect and harm national unity and social peace of the United Republic,” the statement reads.

The suspension follows just a day after The Citizen removed a widely circulated video from its platforms. The clip, which raised concerns about abductions and disappearances in Tanzania, was taken down due to misinterpretation, according to a statement from The Citizen.

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“We have decided to remove the animation shared on October 1, 2024, from our social media platforms (X and Instagram), as it depicted events that raised concerns regarding the safety and security of individuals in Tanzania. Our decision to take down the animation stems from the misinterpretation it has generated, which diverges from our original intent,” reads the statement signed by Managing Editor Mpoki Thomson.