I think the singular use of "newspaper" here follows convention in not needing a leading article ("a").

(Had it been plural the article would have also not been needed on a grammatical basis, although I think it would in that case have been fair to specify "some" or "all").

Lacking a definite article is incorrect and worse, confusing.

"Tanzania bans fruit for two years"

"Tanzania bans song for two years"

No confusion

The first can mean all fruit is banned, because "fruit" is a mass noun and as such does not have a plural form.

The second clearly refers to one song, just like the headline refers to one newspaper.

"Song" can also refer to the act of singing, so the second one still read ambiguously to me.

The rules for newspaper headlines is not the same as for normal sentences.

> "Tanzania bans song for two years"

That's ungrammatical as a sentence but a perfectly good headline.

It's not ungrammatical. You're just expecting a different usage of the word song, so it looks wrong.

Had it been "Tanzania bans song and dance for two years," you wouldn't have batted an eye.

Wow, you're right. I missed that interpretation.

Oh, I actually thought it meant "newspaper" the material, similar to how some cities in India have banned disposable plastic.