After Kenya, It Is Tanzania Tightening The Online Content
Late last month, Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) announced that every Kenyan would need a filming license to post a video for public viewing. Failure to comply with this rule could invite fine of USD 1 Kor and imprisonment of up to 5 years. Though the move attracted flak from the public, another East-African country has gone ahead an introduced another unusual rule.
This time Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), yesterday, asked the unregistered bloggers and online forums to pulldown their websites. In a regulation passed in March this year, the government asked all such forums, including the YouTube channel to get registered by paying up USD 900. Interestingly the per capita income of Tanzania is below USD 900 and internet users more than 23 million. The punishment for violating this rule includes a fine of USD 2.2 K or 1-year imprisonment or both.
As per the official statement by the authorities, all the online forums that intend to publish content must attain license by June 15th, and no new content can be published in the interim period. Popular online forums like Jamiiforums have been pulled down as a result of this new regulation leaving digital activists disgruntled. The move comes in the light of an increase in cyberbullying, hate-speech and pornography.
