Invalidating official data can land you in trouble

Dodoma. If you are engaged in conducting and disseminating researches, you will have to think twice before you publish findings that will invalidate those conducted by official government bodies for doing so could land you in serious trouble. Parliament yesterday approved amendments of The Statistics Act, Cap 351 to among others, criminalise the dissemination or otherwise communication to the public any statistical information which is intended to invalidate, distort or discredit official statistics.

The amendments, moved in the House by the Attorney General (AG,) Dr Adelardus Kilangi, also requires people and institutions to seek the approval of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) prior to communicating their research findings to the public.

The amendment received mixed reactions from MPs, with some opposing the decision while others commended it.

The opposition spokesman for Constitutional and Legal Affairs, Mr Ally Saleh, said the amendments were meant to limit the freedom of institutions and individuals involved in collecting, analyzing and disseminating statistical information for survey and non-survey activities.

“I guess there is a hidden agenda. We worry that there is a high possibility that the government will now direct researchers to change some findings or ban their release in case they are not in the government’s favour,” said Mr Saleh.

“The goal of research is to come up with a solution to a problem. I wonder why the government is getting worried,” he said adding that no study is being conducted with the aim of playing down the government’s research.

He was seconded by Babati Urban MP Pauline Gekul, who said the amendments were meant to distort the original data.

She warned that the move was likely to adversely affect development where such statistics are of paramount importance for planning.

“It goes without saying the amendments will curtail the statistical freedom enjoyed by various individuals and institutions,” said Ms Gekul.

“I guess, the government fears some research findings are likely not to be in its favor .With the amendments, there is a danger that critical research findings may not be broadly known.

“The government needs to be open-minded because it s not always the case that NBS is on the right path; it sometimes does mistakes in its releases.”

The Parliamentary Constitution and Legal Affairs Committee chairman, Mr Mohamed Mchengerwa, said the amendment was meant to ensure that all disseminated data statistical data are authorized institutions or individuals-centered.

“This is set to help promote peace and security of the country,” noted Mr Mchengerwa.

Dr Kilangi said: “the amendment is geared to prohibiting any person from disseminating statistical data to the public with the aim of distorting statistics released by NBS.”