Tanzania's communications regulator has suspended the digital platforms of a local media company for allegedly publishing restricted content, adding to what human rights groups have described as a growing crackdown on press freedom.

Tanzania has suspended the digital division of the nation’s biggest media house, after it released an animated piece about abductions of people critical of the nation’s leaders.

Three of Tanzania's leading newspapers have been banned from publishing their online editions after they ran an animation deemed critical of President Samia Suluhu Hassan. The Citizen, Mwananchi and Mwanaspoti newspapers have had their online licenses suspended for 30 days over the viral animated clip,

Tanzania has issued a suspension on the digital platforms of Mwananchi Communications Ltd for putting out content it deemed damaging to the country’s image. However, the opposition to the ruling party criticized the move,