Tanzanian journalists suspended after airing fake news about Donald Trump

Nine journalists attached at Tanzanian public broadcaster TBC have been suspended for airing fake news.

The gullible staff fell for a hoax story aired on a website called Fox Channel which claimed that US President Donald Trump had called Tanzanian President John Magufuli and praised him for his performance.

The said journalists then run with the story and broadcast it last week announcing Mr Trump had called Dr. Magufuli an "African hero" compared to other African leaders who are "doing nothing".

The Tanzania staff reported that Mr. Trump made the comments while signing an executive order excluding Tanzanians from a travel ban on African nationals.

“This law will affect countries like Zimbabwe, Uganda and other African countries where Presidents have declined to leave power doing nothing. Tanzania is not one of them since my namesake there President John Magufuli is doing a wonderful job. Actually Magufuli should be used as a good example but his neighbor Museveni should be used whenever bad example is needed.” Trump allegedly said according to the fake news.

A statement from TBC said editorial procedures had not been followed. The broadcaster's Director General Ayub Chacha said that the station should have verified the information before broadcasting.

"The mistakes shouldn't have happened had all the editorial procedures to verify the authenticity of story been followed," he said.

The irony of the whole story is not lost though, first Donald Trump has in recent past accused international media houses such as CNN of airing fake news, who knew journalists in a far away African country would fell victim for just that.

Secondly Tanzania broadcasting Corporation (TBC) company slogan is Ukweli na Uhakika swahili for truth and surety and therefore you would expect the suspended staff to have had that in mind while carrying out their assgnments.

The staff may have fell for the warm words Trump allegedly used to describe Magufuli for his emphasis on good governance and war against corruption which allegedly Trump called on other African leaders to follow suit.

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Mr Magufuli, known as the "bulldozer" for his hands on approach to leadership, has been waging a public war on corruption which has won him some support locally and internationally.