The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) has suspended the online content licenses for three Mwananchi Communication Limited (MCL) brands; The Citizen, Mwananchi Digital, and Mwanaspoti for 30 days. This action follows the release of a viral animated clip by The Citizen.
“On 1st October 2024, Mwananchi Communications Limited published audio-visual content on social media platforms, content that is prohibited pursuant to Regulation 16 of the regulations cited above [Electronic and Postal Communications (Online Content) Regulations 2020]. Further, the published content threatens and is likely to affect and harm national unity and social peace of the United Republic,” reads a statement from the TCRA.
The news comes just a day after The Citizen took down the viral clip, which highlighted cases of abductions and disappearances in the country. The Citizen explained that the decision to remove the content was due to its misinterpretation.
“We have decided to remove the animation shared on October 1, 2024, from our social media platforms (X and Instagram), as it depicted events that raised concerns regarding the safety and security of individuals in Tanzania. Our decision to take down the animation stems from the misinterpretation it has generated, which diverges from our original intent,” The Citizen’s statement, signed by its Managing Editor Mpoki Thomson, reads.
The animation depicted a female cartoon character with features similar to Tanzania’s President sitting in front of a TV, changing channels. On each station change, a family member or individual affected by abductions appeared. The animation seems to have been inspired by real-life events. It includes a character similar to abduction victim Edgar Mwakalebela, using language similar to what he expressed in a media interview.
It also features characters and actual phrases from family members from a documentary by The Chanzo about abductions and disappearances. These include William Sije, whose son, James Sije, went missing on August 17, 2021, after being taken by individuals claiming to be police officers. Sije passed away on the anniversary of his son’s disappearance on August 17, 2024, just three weeks after giving an interview to The Chanzo.
Other characters depicted in the animation include Johari Songoro, whose husband Lilenga Isaya Lilenga disappeared on May 11, 2024; Yusuph Chaula, whose son Shadrack Chaula (24) was abducted on August 2, 2024; and Zabibu Kassim Mwete, whose son Issa Sango disappeared on January 27, 2023.
The suspension appears to be unprecedented, as it includes other platforms such as Mwananchi (web) and Mwananchi Digital (YouTube), which did not publish the content, as well as Mwanaspoti, which focuses solely on sports coverage.
In a statement regarding the suspension, Mwananchi Communication emphasized its continued commitment to delivering quality journalism that empowers the nation. It assured its readers that it would continue to serve them through its daily print editions and noted that it would engage with the regulator to find the best way forward.
