Tanzanian authorities have endorsed a court decision to restrict all media coverage of the ongoing treason trial of opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who was arrested on April 9, 2025.
Principal Resident Magistrate Franco Kiswaga said the ban was necessary to protect prosecution witnesses, granting a request by the state prosecutor who argued that concealing their identities was essential.
Reports indicate the trial, which commenced on Monday at the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court in Dar es Salaam, is currently in its preliminary stages.
“Live streaming, live broadcast, and any other kind of live distribution of content online to the public, including on social media or video broadcast … are hereby prohibited,” Kiswaga ruled.
Lissu had earlier opposed the request, arguing that such an order would allow the court to operate in “darkness” and prevent his supporters from following the case. Officials from his CHADEMA party also criticized the decision. “Justice must be done and be seen to be done,” said Lissu, who is representing himself after dismissing his attorneys.
Lissu, who survived a 2017 assassination attempt after being shot 16 times, was the runner-up in the 2020 presidential election. His party has since been barred from contesting in the upcoming October presidential and parliamentary polls.
