UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, EAST AFRICA, REGIONAL AND

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
20 KIVUKONI FRONT,
P.O. BOX 9000,
11466 DAR ES SALAAM,
Tanzania.

Telephone:255-22-2114615, 211906-12
Email: nje@nje.go.tz
Email: gcu@nje.go.tz
Website :www.foreign.go.tz
Fax: 255-22-2116600

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.
-EndsIssued by:
Government Communication Unit,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, East African, Regional and International Cooperation.
Dar es salaam, January 20, 2016