Tanzania : Journalist detained for 2 days for publishing "false information"

Tanzanian journalist Joseph Gandye was arrested on Thursday 22nd August for allegedly “publishing false information” and released two days later. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) denounces a “very disturbing” pattern of repression and intimidation against journalists working in Tanzania.

Credit: IFJ

Joseph Gandye  works for Watetezi TV, a not-for-profit online Television established by the Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC) . He is also the producer of human rights programme aired every Friday and produced by Watetezi TV .

The journalist was arrested in Dar es Salam on 22 August for allegedly publishing false information in relation to a report about an incident in which the police in Iringa reportedly forced six young detainees to sodomise each other.

After Watetezi TV aired the story on 9 August, 2019, police authorities denied the report and accused the broadcaster of degrading the police force and defaming the government in general.

Joseph Gandye was arrested on 22 August before being released on bail two days later.

IFJ General Secretary, Anthony Bellanger said: “The consistent pattern of repression and intimidation of journalists in Tanzania is becoming very disturbing.Journalists in Tanzania are no longer free to do their work without being intimidated by the authorities as has become evident in the recent wave of arrests and the disappearance of  journalist Azory GwandaJournalists in Tanzania must be allowed to exercise their duties without any form of intimidation or suppression as this is a crucial element of the democratic process that the country needs."

The IFJ recalls that earlier this month, a Tanzanian court charged investigative journalist Erick Kabenderawith organised crime and financial offences. Azory Gwanda has been missing for over 600 days and authorities have not been able to determine whether he’s alive or dead.

For more information, please contact IFJ on +32 2 235 22 16

The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 146 countries

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