Circulating newspapers were registered under Newspaper Act (1976) which was repealed by Media Services Act.
Mid 2016, the government invalidated the registration of 473 newspapers and magazines in total for being inactive for three consecutive years.
Newspapers and magazines in Tanzania have until October 15 to apply for news registration licences.
A government directive revoked permits which allowed them to publish, thanks to the Media Service Act (2016). The publications in circulation were registered under the Newspaper Act (1976), which was repealed by the Media Services Act. For the newspapers and journals operating under the old registration system, the government offers a room from today to October 15, 2017 to be granted new operating licences, said the Director of Government Information Service, Dr Hassan Abbas.
Dr Abbas stated that no newsletter or magazine would be allowed to publish without a new licence after the deadline.
Tanzania currently has around 433 registered newspapers and magazines.
Mid last year, the government deregistered some 473 newspapers and magazines for being inactive for three consecutive years. Some 550 publications were targeted in the crackdown, but around 77 newspapers and magazines were spared after they put up a defence.
The victims of the big chop included Alasiri, Dar Leo, Utamu, Raha, Starehe, and Daily Times.
Also not spared were the Financial Times, Wakati, Mkombozi, and Jamii Express.
