MwanaHalisi newspaper suspended indefinitely
The government has slapped an indefinite suspension on Mwanahalisi for what it described publishing stories and articles which are inflammatory, seditious and fabrications.
The suspension announced by Government Notice No-258, starts on July 30, 2012.
This is the second time for the weekly to be on the wrong side with the law enforcers. It was suspended for three months on October 13, 2008.
The paper began to operate again on January 14, 2011 and the Publisher and Managing Editor, Saed Kubenea was defiant promising to be more aggressive.
For suspending it this time, the government cited issues No 302 of Wednesday July 11-17 and of July 18 to July 24 and July 25 to 01 August and many previous issues.
According to the government notice the stories and articles in Mwanahalisi endangered peace and stability in the society as they reflected the government in bad light and inciting the public.
Though the editor had been repeatedly warned, the government stated, he usually refers to clause 18 of the constitution which provides for freedom of expression but not clause 30 which sets limit to the freedom.
The suspension has been enforced in accordance to the 1976 Newspaper Act (clause 25 (1).
Media stakeholders protested and demonstrated against the weekly’s first suspension in 2010.
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