The
Delegation of the European Union Issues the Following Statement in Agreement
with the EU Heads of Mission in Tanzania The government decision of January
23rd to suspend the circulation of "The East African", a
longestablished regional newspaper, gives rise to concerns about freedom of
press in Tanzania.
It is recalled that in October 2010 the EU's independent Election Observation Mission recommended expediting modernisation of the media laws, taking into account stakeholders' views.
The Delegation of the European Union calls upon the Government to make every effort to preserve the freedom of expression in Tanzania and it urges all stakeholders to prioritise constructive dialogue as the primary means to resolve differences.
It also reiterates its commitment to monitor, support promote and monitor media freedom as a shared value of the EU partnership with Tanzania. The High Commission of Canada and Embassies of Norway and Switzerland associate themselves with this statement.
It is the duty of the media to work within the law and to make every effort
to adopt and adhere to professional standards. But Press Freedom and freedom to
express opinions are fundamental rights of the people, which call for
circumspection and proportionality in the application of the law.
The Delegation of the European Union expresses its concern that modern media
legislation in Tanzania, including on the citizens' Right to Information, has
not yet been promulgated despite the longstanding requests of the media
profession and the repeated commitments of the Government. It is recalled that in October 2010 the EU's independent Election Observation Mission recommended expediting modernisation of the media laws, taking into account stakeholders' views.
The Delegation of the European Union calls upon the Government to make every effort to preserve the freedom of expression in Tanzania and it urges all stakeholders to prioritise constructive dialogue as the primary means to resolve differences.
It also reiterates its commitment to monitor, support promote and monitor media freedom as a shared value of the EU partnership with Tanzania. The High Commission of Canada and Embassies of Norway and Switzerland associate themselves with this statement.
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