Government: All print media outlets should re-register before mid-October

Dar es Salaam. The government has announced the commencement of print media outlets re-registration process.

Addressing a press conference today, August 23, the Director General of the Information Services Department and Chief Government Spokesperson, Dr Hassan Abbas, said both existing and new print media are supposed to be registered afresh in accordance with the Media Services Act of 2016.

"While existing print media will have a re-registration deadline, which is October 15 this year, registration for new print media will have no deadline," he said.

He named particulars required during registration process as certificates of registration of the media organisation, business plan that clearly state media policy, type of editors and journalists to be recruited and curriculum vitae of owners of the organisation.

"Also, media organisations will need to pay registration fee amounting to Sh1 million," he said, adding:

"State owned print media will need to submit letters from organisations’ managing directors because their establishment differed with private entities in that these were founded in fulfilment of the law or following certain decrees."

Media Services Act 2016 establishes three institutional frameworks or organs namely; the Information Services Department charged with registration of print media, the Independent Media Council and the Accreditation Board that transforms the Tanzania media to true professionalism.