Tanzanian authorities have suspended newspaper Mwanahalisi for six months over a report alleging divisions within the government.
The Ministry of Information said the newspaper violated media regulations by publishing a report claiming that Vice President Emmanuel Nchimbi was unwilling to resign despite pressure from the ruling party.
Regulators said the report was unverified and lacked balance, noting that Nchimbi was not contacted for his response before the story was published.
The suspension takes effect immediately and applies to both the newspaper’s print and online editions. Mwanahalisi has 30 days to appeal the decision.
Meanwhile, authorities have summoned another media outlet, Jamvi la Habari, to explain several recent reports that regulators said may have breached media regulations.
The latest actions come amid growing concerns from international observers over what they describe as shrinking civil and political freedoms in Tanzania under President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Tanzania currently ranks 117th out of 180 countries in the World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders.
