Tanzanian Government Suspends BASATA’s Controversial Clause on Music Vetting

[Photo: Wikipedia]

By Paul A.

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Tanzanian musicians have received a reprieve after the government suspended a controversial clause that would compel artists to submit their work for vetting before being published. The country’s art regulatory body BASATA had put in place a new directive that would see all songs vetted before publishing.

Be Encouraged by Psalms 118:14

Following the directive, there was a lot of backlash from musicians who opined that the agency was out to victimize artists.

Read Also: Babu Tale Criticizes BASATA, Revisits Ban on Diamond’s Jeje and Hallelujah’ Hits

After the backlash, the government brought together music stakeholders where the resolution was made to suspend the clause. In suspending the clause, the country’s minister of information, Innocent Bashungwa, challenged musicians to stick to morals in the society in the absence of regulations.

“Baada ya kujadiiana, ninahairisha kanuni ya ishirini na tano ili tuweze kutafuta kanuni mpya ambayo itaboreshwa na mawazo na kanuni za mjadala wa leo. Kwa hivo BASATA nawaagiza waanze mchakato wa kushirikisha wadau ili tuweze kutengeneza kanuni mpya. Hili ningependa kufanya haraka iwezekanavyo,” said Bashungwa.

Read Also: Backlash as BASATA Proposes New Rules to Govern Bongo Music

However, he noted that the new regulations would focus on upholding morals without destroying the art industry. Musicians who led the protest against BASATA latest regulation include Mwana FA, AY and WCB manager cum politician Babu Tale.

Over the years, several top Bongo musicians like Diamond, Nandy, Rayvanny, Harmonize and Baba Levo among others have found themselves on the firing end over claims of composing music with inappropriate content.