By Adonis Byemelwa
The
Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) has officially stated that
it has not issued any directives or statements banning social media platforms
in Tanzania. This clarification follows inquiries from the Internet Governance
Tanzania Working Group (IGTWG), which had requested a meeting to discuss
concerns about a potential ban on the social network X, formerly known as
Twitter.
In
a letter to the IGTWG, TCRA explained, "As a regulator of the
communication sector, it has not issued a statement or directive calling for
the shutdown or banning of any social media platform in the Tanzanian
cyberspace." The letter, signed by TCRA Director General Dr. Jabir K
Bakari, emphasized that the authority only intervenes when there are violations
of Tanzanian laws and regulations.
The
IGTWG, which consists of over twenty organizations focused on online freedom
and rights, sought clarification after Mohamed Ali Kawaida, Chairman of the CCM
Youth Wing, and some religious leaders called for X to be banned, alleging it
was being used to spread pornographic content. With over 600,000 users in
Tanzania, X is a significant platform for political dialogue, activism, and
employment opportunities for many youths.
Former
Minister of Communication Nape Nnauye had previously indicated that the
government was monitoring the debate and would take appropriate action if
necessary. In response to TCRA's clarification, Asha D. Abinallah of Tech &
Media Convergency (TMC) expressed relief, stating, "I am pleased that the
Authority has taken this issue seriously and responded."
Abinallah
noted concerns arose when TCRA temporarily deactivated its X account shortly
after the campaign began, which included pressure from religious leaders and
CCM officials. Despite this, many stakeholders, including media outlets and
communication companies, have expressed approval of TCRA’s transparent approach
to regulatory matters.
The
current administration's inclusive approach to stakeholder engagement and
adherence to legal and ethical principles in media regulation has been
positively received, reflecting a commitment to fostering a robust and
transparent communication environment in Tanzania.