Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) content committee
chairman Joseph Mapunda addresses journalists in Dar es Salaam flanked
by members of the committee. PHOTO | THE CITIZEN | NMG
Tanzania has fined five television stations Tsh60 million ($27,000) for "offensive and unethical" broadcasting.
The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) said the broadcasters were penalised for airing seditious information.
“The
television stations are supposed to pay the fines within 30 days from
today [Tuesday]. If they are dissatisfied they should appeal to the Fair
Competition Commission in 30 days,” TCRA content committee chairman
Joseph Mapunda told journalists.
The five stations are
Star TV which was fined Tsh7.5 million ($3,375), Azam Two (Tsh7.5
million, $3,375), East Africa TV (Tsh15 million, $6,750), Channel 10
(Tsh15 million, $6,750) and ITV (Tsh15 million, $6,750).
Mr
Mapunda said the stations aired a Legal Human Rights Centre (LHRC)
evaluation of November 26, 2017 ward by-election which was offensive,
unethical, unlawful.
He said by broadcasting the seditious news, peace was threatened and public safety jeopardised.
Mr
Mapunda said the civil society organisation LHRC evaluation claimed
that during the by-election peace was breached, human rights violated,
security organs abused their power, innocent citizens were abducted by
unknown people, and that voters were threatened.
He said the evaluation also portended violence in the coming civic by-elections.
“The
television stations were supposed to check with the National Electoral
Commission instead of airing such information without confirming the
other side,” he said.
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