The Tanzanian government has launched a fierce attack on international media, accusing CNN and others of biased and unprofessional coverage of deadly unrest that followed last month’s disputed presidential election.
Government spokesperson Gerson Msigwa told journalists on Sunday that outlets including CNN, BBC, Al Jazeera and Deutsche Welle had published grave allegations without seeking official comment.
“It is neither fair nor correct to broadcast one-sided stories,” he said, invoking the legal principle of natural justice. “You cannot accuse someone and deny them the right to respond.”
The rebuke follows a CNN investigation that used geolocated videos, satellite imagery and witness testimony to document police opening fire on protesters and evidence of possible mass graves near Dar es Salaam.
The report, led by Kenyan correspondent Larry Madowo, suggested dozens and possibly hundreds of unarmed civilians died after President Samia Suluhu Hassan secured re-election on 29 October.
Msigwa urged foreign media to submit any evidence to the independent Commission of Inquiry launched last week under retired chief justice Mohamed Chande Othman, rather than “interfering” with its work.
President Suluhu has hinted that some protesters were paid by unnamed local and foreign actors.
Rights groups and opposition leaders have dismissed the commission as window dressing, pointing to the continued detention of hundreds of activists and a blanket internet shutdown during the crisis. The United Nations has called for a transparent international investigation.
