The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) said that it has not issued any statement or directive to ban any social media platform in Tanzania.
The authority clarified this in response to a letter from stakeholders of the Internet Governance Tanzania Working Group (IGTWG), who had requested a meeting with the regulatory authority to openly discuss certain pressures exerted to ban the social network X, formerly known as Twitter.
“TCRA would like to inform you that as a regulator of the communication sector, it has not issued a statement or directive either calling for shutting down or banning any social media platform in the Tanzanian cyberspace,” reads part of the letter to IGTWG.
“TCRA takes regulatory interventions in the event of violations of the laws and regulations of the United Republic of Tanzania,” another section of the letter which was signed by the TCRA Director General Dr. Jabir K Bakari.
IGTWG composed of over twenty organizations that focus on online freedom, rights, and opportunities had reached out to TCRA to ask for the meeting following a campaign initiated by the Chairman of the CCM Youth Wing, Mohamed Ali Kawaida, and some religious leaders calling for the ban of the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, on claims that it is used to spread pornographic content.
This network, which provides various discussion opportunities, including employment for some youths, has over 600,000 users in Tanzania. X has become a crucial platform for political dialogue and activism in Tanzania.
Stakeholders requested open dialogue to reach a consensus, especially after the former Minister of Communication, Nape Nnauye, said that they were following the debate and will act when it is the right time.
Asha D. Abinallah, whose Tech & Media Convergency (TMC) hosts the working group expressed satisfaction with the response from TCRA.
“I am happy that the Authority has taken this issue seriously and has responded. They presented three points, and the third point was to commend the working group,” Asha explained in an interview with The Chanzo.
She added: “Although TCRA did not issue that statement, they made us concerned when they deactivated their account on X and this happened in about seven days since the pressure campaign from those religious leaders and the ruling party officials. Their suspension of accounts with many followers, while staying on other platforms has made us worried.”
Many communication stakeholders, including media outlets and communication companies, have continued to show satisfaction with the authority’s recent conduct, which has largely focused on consultations with stakeholders on various issues, including legal challenges.
This trend has grown in recent years, especially when the sixth-phase government changed its approach to allow the media sector to grow while adhering to the principles of law, ethics, and good governance.
