PRESS RELEASE

PRESS RELEASE

NO BAN ON MINISKIRTS BY PRESIDENT MAGUFULI

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