UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, EAST AFRICA, REGIONAL AND

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

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

SALAAM,
Tanz
ania.

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
KenyanStandard 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