This archive report was first published on 20 November 2019.
On November 20, 2019, a Tanzanian court postponed the hearing of prominent Tanzanian journalist Erick Kabendera for the eighth time, citing ongoing investigations.
Police arrested Kabendera in July and charged him in August with leading organized crime, failing to pay taxes, and money laundering. His lawyers reject the charges, alleging that the case is politically motivated.
At each of the eight hearings since August, prosecutors have told the court that investigations were not complete. Kabendera's lawyer, Jebra Kambole, has stated that he is pursuing a plea bargain, but the process has not reached a conclusion.
Press freedom has nosedived in Tanzania since President John Magufuli took office in 2015, with the government shutting down newspapers and websites, arresting opposition leaders, and restricting political rallies.
The government has rejected criticism that it is muzzling the media.
