The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) has temporarily suspended the online content services of Mwananchi Communication Limited (ML) and The Citizen Tanzania publication for ‘violation of the law’

In its notice to the public, TCRA  said that it has suspended the license of online content services against the MCL news company in the country, for violating the 2020 regulation that regulates online content publication

TCRA noted that on October 1, 2024, MCL published audiovisual content on its social networks, which is prohibited under Regulation 16 of the 2020 Online Content Regulations.

“The content has brought a negative interpretation to the nation, something that affects and destroys the unity, peace, and unity of the nation”, reads part of TCRA statement

“The public is informed that, following the publication of prohibited and illegal content, TCRA has temporarily suspended the licenses of online content services of Mwananchi Communication Limited (The Citizen, Mwananchi Digital, Mwananchi, and Mwanasporti) from the date of release of this notice, pending other regulatory action being undertaken,”

The controversial content in question is an animation that showed citizens crying on television over increased cases of enforced disappearances and killings in Tanzania. The animation appearing on TV  is a caricature of President Samia Suluhu Hassan.