Tanzania: Freelance journalist faces criminal defamation charges
George Maziku, a correspondent for "Mwananchi" newspaper, is facing a criminal case after being interrogated and detained by the police for several hours. He is alleged to have displayed "contempt of Parliament" by writing a seditious article against Parliament. In his column that appeared on 7 April 2002, entitled "Mabadiliko ya Sheria ya Uchaguzi yanakusudia nini?" (Where does electoral law reform lead us?), Maziku explained how the law reform is used to legalise different election scenarios in favour of the ruling Revolutionary Party of Tanzania (CCM).
IFEX - News from the international freedom of expression community
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ALERT - TANZANIA
8 May 2002
Freelance journalist faces criminal defamation charges
SOURCE: Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), Windhoek
(MISA/IFEX) - George Maziku, a correspondent for "Mwananchi" newspaper, is
facing a criminal case after being interrogated and detained by the police
for several hours. He is alleged to have displayed "contempt of Parliament"
by writing a seditious article against Parliament.
In his column that appeared on 7 April 2002, entitled "Mabadiliko ya Sheria
ya Uchaguzi yanakusudia nini?" (Where does electoral law reform lead us?),
Maziku explained how the law reform is used to legalise different election
scenarios in favour of the ruling Revolutionary Party of Tanzania (CCM).
National Assembly Speaker Pius Msekwa wrote to the editor of "Mwananchi" on
9 April, saying that according to Provision No. 3 of the 1988 Parliamentary
Immunities, Powers and Privileges Act, Maziku's newspaper article
misrepresented the intentions of Parliament. Msekwa explained that by doing
so, the journalist faces a charge of "willful misrepresentation".
On 12 April, Maziku received a letter from National Assembly Clerk Kipenka
Musa, summoning him to report to the National Assembly to explain himself.
The attorney general was instructed by the speaker of Parliament to take
legal action against the journalist. Maziku was detained for some time by
the police and has since been released on bail.
The correspondent has yet to be officially charged but is looking for a
lawyer to assist him. He claims he is terrified by the potential outcome of
a court case and is considering seeking asylum beyond the country's borders.
According to the law on defamation, the editor, publisher, printer and
distributor of a publication are normally parties who are liable to answer
the charges.
MISA-Tanzania has since called on journalists, both from Tanzania and the
rest of the region, to support Maziku's defence.
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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