Tanzania: New Communication Law Must Protect Free Speech

opinion

If the draft Electronic and Postal Communications (Online Content) Regulations, 2017, is to pass as it is, the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TRCA) is bound to have unfettered powers to police the web.

These powers will include the ability to deregister any service provider and punishing those convicted of breaking the proposed rules by slapping them with a hefty fine of Sh5 million or a jail term of a minimum 12 months. Authorities defend the measures, arguing that the unchecked use of the cyberspace might lead to moral decadence, and endangers national security and cohesion.

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