Photo: The East African (file photo)
By The Citizen Reporter
A
popular Tanzanian blogging site, Jamii Forums, has shut down following
government enforcement of harsh new online content regulations.
The regulator,
Tanzania Communication Regulatory Authority (TCRA), has disallowed
publishing of online content without the necessary licences effective
Monday June 11.
Bloggers have until June 15 to acquire licences, TCRA has said.
The rules require
bloggers and online TV and radio to register their platforms, obtain a
tax clearance certificate, and pay licence fees of up to $900.
They are also required to reveal details of their shareholders, citizenship of owners and share capital.
Digital activists
and human rights watchdogs' quest to block the implementation of the
regulations fell through two weeks ago after they lost a court case
challenging the government on what they termed as a crackdown on free
speech.
Most bloggers in
Tanzania are individuals without registered companies, making it
difficult for them to meet the new regulations.
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