The Ministry
of Foreign Affairs, East African, Regional and International Cooperation
of the United Republic of Tanzania has noticed, with serious concern
and disapproval, a grossly distorted report in the Kenyan Standard
newspaper, purporting that H.E. President John Pombe Magufuli has banned
the wearing of miniskirts in Tanzania.
Unfortunately,
the false report, appearing in the daily newspaper's 'MondayBlues'
gossip page on 18th January 2016, was taken for factual and circulated
widely by other outlets and the social media in Kenya and beyond.The
ministry deplores the casual manner in which the Standard handled the
hearsay report and the reckless, totally unwarranted attribution of the
imaginary 'ban' to the Tanzania Head of State.
While it
appreciates the enthusiastic, positive reviews of H.E. President
Magufuli's performance in the Kenyan and international media, the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs takes strong exception at irresponsible
distortions and misreporting, such as the one on miniskirts.
There
is no doubt that H.E. President Magufuli and his government are strong
proponents of decent dressing, but the ministry wishes to put the record
straight that the President has not issued any ban on miniskirts for
any reason.
The ministry understands that as a mainstream
newspaper, the Standard is obliged to observe the highest standards of
journalism, central of which is respect for facts and accurate
reporting.
The ministry trusts that the distortion in question
was inadvertent, not a malicious attempt to undermine the new
administration in Tanzania, and that the Standard will show good faith
by at least retracting the wrong information fed to its readers.
-Ends-
Issued by:
Government Communication Unit,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, East African, Regional and International Cooperation.
Dar es salaam, January 20, 2016
