The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | Tanzania’s high court on Friday temporarily suspended a controversial new law that would impose major fees on bloggers and other online media.
Due to come into force on Saturday, the law would compel bloggers to pay $900 (750 euros) for a permit, a huge sum in the poor East African country. Failure to comply could lead to a $2,200 fine or jail time.
The court, sitting in the southern coastal town of Mtwara, ordered a suspension of the law pending the outcome of a legal challenge by Tanzanian human rights groups and media.
The court order “restrained” the government from “enforcing the deadline… in respect of the registration of bloggers, online forums, radios and televisions,” a statement said.
The law, signed in mid-March, was widely criticised as a further attempt by President John Magufuli to gag dissent.
The next hearing in the case is next Thursday.
