Tanzanian paper banned over 'evil intent'

The Tanzania Daima newspaper has lost its licence for repeatedly violating the country's laws and "the ethics of journalism”, Tanzania's information ministry says.

From Wednesday, the privately owned paper is not allowed to publish or distribute its content anywhere in the East African nation or abroad.

“Efforts to warn, direct and remind the newspaper's editors to comply with licensing terms for more than a year have failed to bear fruits due to stubbornness, controversy and contempt for the country's authorities and at times an obvious evil intent,” the ministry's statement said.

The publisher of the newspaper could re-apply for the licence to print and distribute the newspaper, it added.

It is not the first time the paper has had it licence revoked.

Rights activists have criticised the government and security forces over what they describe as harassment against the opposition, the media and government critics, reports the BBC's Sammy Awami from Dar es Salaam.

But the government insists it is only enforcing the country’s laws.

General elections are due in October when President Magafuli will be seeking a second term in office.