By Staff Reporter

The government, as from today, has started issuing of license to all print media as per section 5(e) of Media Service Act of 2016.

Addressing the media today, Director General of Tanzania Information Services (MAELEZO) who is also Chief Government’s Spokesperson, Dr. Hassan Abbasi said that all current registered print media in the country are required by law to apply for new license from today onward.

He said, according to the Media Service Act of 2016, his department is vested with power to issue license to all print media and called upon the later to start applying with immediate effect.

 “As we have been saying, we are implementing the new media law step by step and today we announce the beginning of the new exercise of issuing licenses to all print media” Dr. Abbasi explained.

He added that the issuance of print media license is according to regulation number 7 of Media Service Act as published in the Government Notice No. 18 of February 3, 2017.

He added that apart from the current registered publications, the government has also started receiving license applications for new print media outlets which was shelved pending the implementation of the new media law.

Dr. Abbasi insisted that the new system put to an end the previous registration system under Newspapers Registration Act of 1976 hence media owner must adhere to the new legislation.

According to the Director General, the current registered print media outlets have up to 15^th October to apply for license and failure to do so they will not be allowed to operate.

He assured all license applicants that his offices both in Dar es Salaam and Dodoma are well prepared for the exercise and promise to issue licenses within three days if applicants fulfill all the conditions.

To ease application exercise, he said all information and documents are available in the department’s website (www.maelezo.go.tz) and can be easily downloaded.

He said the applications must be accompanied with certificate of registration, business plan, dummy layout of the intended newspaper or journal and registration fee.   Furthermore, Dr. Abbasi said according to regulations 8(3) and 12(1)(2) of Media Service Act, the issued license must be renewed annually.

The   Media Services Act No. 12 of 2016 was enacted by the Parliament of United Republic of Tanzania on 5^th November 2016 and assented to by President John Magufuli on 16^th November 2016.