Africa-Press – Tanzania. Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) on Friday banned Humphrey Polepole’s Online TV program ‘Shule ya Uongozi’ for breaching Electronic and Postal Communications (Online Contents) Regulations, 2020.
The program which can be literally translated in English as ‘Leadership School’ is run and hosted by the nominated Member of Parliament.
UPDATE:
Reading the verdict in Dar es Salaam on Friday, Regulator’s Content Committee chairperson Hans Gunze said the said programme will be allowed to resume only if owners adhere to laws and regulations, including but not limited to, recruitment of qualified journalists.
In the ruling, TCRA issued a stern warning to the online TV for infringement of the regulation governing online contents.
After fulfilling the requirements, the owner of the online TV will be required to notify the regulator and upon satisfaction, the TCRA will lift the ban and put the programme under close observation for a duration of six months.
The Electronic and Postal Communications (Online Content) Regulations, 2020, require online news and current affairs licensees to: “Adhere to journalism ethics, professionalism and local content requirements, submit to the regulator the proof of staff academic qualifications and human resource development plan…”
After being licensed by TCRA, Humphrey Polepole Online TV started to Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) related content as well as phone-in programme but according to Mr Guze, from August, 2021 to date, “the online station has changed the type of its contents to become ‘Shule ya Uongozi’.”
“Realistically, the programme discusses political leadership in the country contrary to laws, regulations, and journalism ethics,”Mr Gunze said at the meeting which was also attended by other committee members and Mr Polepole.
Quoting Section 19 of the Electronic and Postal Communications (Online Content), 2020, the Chairman said TCRA was entitled to regulate online content, to license and keep a register of online content service providers and “take action against non-compliance.”
It was also charged that the outlet aired misleading content about Covid-19 pandemic.
On the matter, the chairman said content would have influenced wananchi to boycott and hamper the national campaign of protection against the coronavirus.
According to the committee, the politician failed to prove scientifically that “the coronaviruses have been created in laboratories by big multinational companies for profit gain through vaccines.”
Committee said health officials were not given an opportunity to clarify the matter.
Mr Gunze said that Mr Polepole claimed that regional commissioners were transferred and demolished petty traders’ booths prior to notifying the owners and added: “Mr Polepole failed to give alleged leaders to clarify the matter.”
Mr Polepole has been given 21 day to challenge the ruling.
On his part, Mr Polepole said he will sit down with his assistants to contemplate the verdict.
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