tanzania: Journalist harassed by bodyguards, arrested

IFEX - News from the international freedom of expression community
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ALERT - TANZANIA

31 May 2002

Journalist harassed by bodyguards, arrested

SOURCE: Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), Windhoek

(MISA/IFEX) - Journalist Abduel Kenge of "The Express" was arrested and held in
police custody for four hours on Tuesday 21 May 2002. Kenge was arrested for
allegedly engaging Vice President Ali Mohamed Shein in a manner not befitting
the public official's status.

Kenge was attending the official release of a book entitled "Nyerere Legacy and
Economic Policy Making in Tanzania" at the University of Dar es Salaam's Council
Chamber, where the vice president was the guest of honour. Kenge attempted to
approach Shein for a comment at a reception after the book launch but was
prevented from doing so by the vice president's chief bodyguard.

"Who the hell do you think you are to talk to the vice president this way?" the
bodyguard demanded to know, insisting that Kenge leave the premises. A second
bodyguard appeared on the scene and Kenge was escorted from the reception hall.

Outside, the chief bodyguard told two senior police officers to place Kenge
under arrest for harassing the vice president, a charge the journalist denied.
Kenge was finally released after four hours without any charges being pressed.

Press Secretary to the Vice President Said Ameir has since apologised to Kenge,
admitting that the action of the bodyguards and police was too severe. However,
he told Kenge that journalists should approach either the press secretary or
security guards before speaking to a dignitary. This is not official policy,
however.

BACKGROUND:
Commenting on an earlier incident where another reporter from "The Express"
received similar treatment in her attempt to engage the president, Deputy
Private Secretary to the President Peter Kallaghe told the "The Express" that
there was nothing wrong in asking the president (and other senior government
officials) a question. He suggested that it was a "healthy culture."

Kallaghe said the changing environment and culture brought in by the private
media is foreign to government officials, and hence security guards tend to be
nervous. He stated that newspapers are representatives of the public and have
the right to hold the president accountable on behalf of the citizens.

However, less than a week after his comments appeared in the "The Express", the
culture of misunderstanding the media's role was again unveiled with Kenge's
arrest. The journalist's arrest was strongly condemned by journalists, who feel
that it violates media freedom and the right to information.

"The Express", published by Media Holdings (T) Ltd, is Tanzania's biggest
selling weekly newspaper. It was also the first newspaper in the country to go
online.

For further information, contact Zoe Titus or Kaitira Kandjii, Regional
Information Coordinator, MISA, Street Address: 21 Johann Albrecht Street,
Mailing Address; Private Bag 13386 Windhoek, Namibia, tel: +264 61 232975, fax:
+264 61 248016, e-mail: [email protected] or [email protected], Internet:
http://www.misa.org/

The information contained in this alert is the sole responsibility of MISA. In
citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit MISA.
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