Metro

Tanzanian govt wages war on media, bans news sites over animation of President Suluhu

Published

1 month ago

October 8, 2024

The media in Tanzania has come under attack after the country’s communications regulator banned three digital platforms over the publication of animated contents which were deemed to be critical of President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

In a notice conveying the ban on the platforms, the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) said it had suspended online content licences for Mwananchi Communications Ltd for 30 days, saying it had published contents that damaged the country’s image.

“Mwananchi Communication Ltd published audio-visual content on its social media platforms that has been prohibited by the Online Content Regulations 2020,” the regulator said.

“Following the publication of content which contravenes the law, TCRA suspends online media services licences for The Citizen, Mwananchi Digital, Mwananchi and Mwanaspoti for a period of 30 days.

“The content has led to negative interpretations to the nation, which is affecting and disrupting unity, peace and national harmony.

“The ban affects all websites, social media and YouTube platforms of the three newspapers, all run by Mwananchi Communication Limited (MCL),” it added.

Though the TCRA did not say what the restricted content was, opposition figures in the country say the suspension of the platform’s license is another way of muzzling any media that is critical of the government.

Media reports say one of Mwananchi’s publications, The Citizen, had, on October 1, published an animated video on its X and Instagram platforms depicting a woman watching a TV broadcast that showed people complaining about missing or murdered relatives and friends.

“The one-minute clip highlighted the increasing cases of abductions and disappearances in the country but the TCRA said the content threatens and is likely to affect and harm national unity and social peace of the United Republic of Tanzania.

“The animation showed the character switching between different TV stations. On each one there was someone complaining about the killing, abduction or disappearance of a family member. At the end, the character appears upset by all the complaints.

“It depicted a female cartoon character who resembled Samia with her signature hijab.

“Rights groups have accused President Samia’s government of stifling dissent and targeting opponents ahead of next year’s general elections. It follows a recent wave of abductions, arrests and the brutal killing of an opposition official in the country.”

The Citizen’s managing editor, Mpoki Thomson, who spoke on the ban, however, said the animation depicted “events that raised concerns regarding the safety and security of individuals in Tanzania.”

He stated that the animation was taken down a few hours later due to what what was termed as misinterpretation by the public.

“Our decision to take down the animation stems from the misinterpretation it has generated, which diverges from our original intent,” Thomson said in a statement.

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Metro

Wanted Zambian MP who escaped from prison custody captured in Harare

Published

15 hours ago

November 20, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A fugitive Zambian Member of Parliament (MP), Emmanuel Banda, who escaped from custody at the Chipata Prison in Eastern Province has been captured in Harare, Zimbabwe, where he had been in hiding in a rented apartment.

Home Affairs and Internal Security Minister, Jack Mwiimbu, who confirmed the apprehension of the Petauke Central lawmaker during a media briefing held at the Ministry Headquarters in Lusaka on Tuesday, said Banda had escaped from lawful custody in August this year where he was facing aggravated robbery charges and was being held by Zambia Correctional Service while awaiting court appearance as he had been committed to the high court.

Zambia Monitor reports that after Banda’s escape, his wife, Lombe Chali, was arrested and charged with aiding a prisoner to escape, with the police assuring the public that no stone would be left unturned as they worked to ensure justice was served.

While addressing the press conference, Mwiimbu said:

“Emmanuel Jay Jay Banda was renting a flat in Harare and did not give himself up willingly during his arrest by the Zimbabwean law enforcement agencies.”

The Minister also accused the opposition Patriotic Front (PF) of knowing the whereabouts of Banda and were allegedly communicating with him during the time of his disappearance which can be seen from the several statements which had been made.

Mwiimbu said the PF members that include former president Edgar Lungu had made statements accusing government’s involvement in his disappearance and suggesting that they knew about Banda’s whereabouts.

“Now that he has been captured, Emmanuel Banda will now tell us the truth about how he escaped from custody. We learnt of Emmanuel Jay Jay Banda’s whereabouts two weeks ago and discovered that he was enjoying good health,” he stated.

Mwiimbu stated that the Zambian authorities were collaborating very well with their Zimbabwean counterparts, saying Banda was apprehended by security officials from that country.

He also emphasized that the Zambian government was putting up measures to ensure Banda’s return to Zambia had no security lapses.

“The government wants to know who facilitated his escape, who has been facilitating his wife’s visit to Harare to those flats now that he has been captured,” Mwiimbu said.

In May 2024, Banda was reported missing and his vehicle found abandoned with shattered windshield and a note apologising to Zambians.

Following his escape, the Zambia Police placed a K2 million bounty on Banda, who had escaped from lawful custody while receiving treatment at Chipata General Hospital in Eastern Province.

According to Mwiimbu, Banda now faces an additional charge of escaping from lawful custody.

Metro

Nigeria: Tinubu lobbies G-20 leaders for UN Security Council permanent seat

Published

1 day ago

November 20, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu, has resorted to lobbying world leaders at the ongoing 19th G20 Leaders Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for the country to get a permanent seat in the UN Security Council.

Tinubu, who made the demand while delivering a speech on Tuesday, said there was an urgent need for the UN Security Council to reform its structure to ensure its continued relevance in global interventions.

The President who reiterated Nigeria’s readiness and capability to represent Africa within the United Nations, called on the G20 Leaders to champion the idea of admitting the country into the Council.

“The UN Security Council should expand its permanent and non-permanent member categories to reflect the world’s diversity and plurality. Africa deserves priority in this,” he said.

“Africa deserves priority in this process, and two permanent seats should be allocated to it with equal rights and responsibilities. Nigeria stands ready and willing to serve as a representative of Africa in this capacity.”

The President noted that the G20 nhbow wears a toga of a forward-looking international institution that upholds reform-minded multilateralism and specially commended the decision by the G20 to grant permanent membership to the African Union and for its consistency in sustaining the tradition of inviting guest countries to join the group.