This archive report was first published on 28 November 2019.
On November 28, 2019, Tanzania's government spokesman Hassan Abbas issued a warning to local journalists about quoting foreign organizations and representatives in their reporting.
The warning came after American and British diplomats released a statement criticizing the process of the just-ended local elections in the country.
The US and UK embassies said the elections were marred with irregularities and questioned the results, with the ruling party winning 99.9 per cent of the seats contested.
Major opposition parties boycotted the elections, citing intimidation and government interference in the registration process.
Abbas claimed that some foreign organizations and representatives were using the media to spread rumors and propaganda, and that local media and foreign media companies registered in the country were party to misinformation by quoting foreign sources.
He threatened to take 'stern legal measures' against those who continued to quote foreign sources, stating, 'For this matter, the government has done enough explaining, given enough warnings and enough pardons. Now we will take stern legal measures.'
This warning comes just days after Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch accused the government of stifling media freedom in the country, citing cases of media companies being shut down and journalists being intimidated.
