The government has expressed concern over the continued abuse of social media by unscrupulous people.
Information and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary Amos Malupenga said it is unfortunate that some people are using social media to commit crimes such as cyberbullying, online sexual harassment and hate speech among others.
Mr Malupenga said Government values social media and fully supports its use but will not tolerate any form of abuse.
He said Government wants to ensure that the cyber space is safe for electronic business transactions and safe for receiving information for both genders and all age groups.
The Permanent Secretary was Speaking when he officially launched the Zambia National Women’s Lobby Group social media monitoring initiative in Lusaka yesterday.
And Mr. Malupenga has expressed happiness that organizations such as the Women’s National Lobby Group and the National Democratic Institute are coming up with initiatives aimed at raising public awareness on cyberbullying, hate speech and online sexual harassment against women.
He explained that the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes law which recently came into force was meant to cure such abuse.
“There is no law in Zambia that is against the use of social media and Government has no intention of enacting any law against the use of social media. We know that social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp among others, have transformed the communication landscape the world over and Government would not like to have its citizens remain in the past,” he said.
“Government is doing everything possible to get as many citizens as possible on the internet for their own benefit and ensure they move together with the rest of the world. That is why Government has, so far, spent over US $ 280 million in building and upgrading over 1000 communication towers across the country,” he said
And Zambia National Women’s Lobby Board Chairperson Beauty Katebe said her organization is worried with the fast growing trend of cyberbullying, hate speech and sexual harassment against women in politics.
She disclosed that more than 70 percent of the Zambian female political leaders have testified experiencing online bullying, hate speech or sexual harassment in the course of their political leadership.
“Our organization, with the help of other partners, hopes to create a safe environment for women’s participation by raising awareness against such vices. We have since set up a monitoring tool through which members of the public as well as victims can report such incidents,” said Ms. Katebe.
Zambia National Women’s Lobby group has come up with a WhatsApp and Mobile Tip-Line (0973591491) which will be used by members of the public to report cases of cyberbullying, hate speech and sexual harassment against women in politics.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services Press and Public Relations Unit.
Abuse of anything should not be tolerated, including abuse of public office.
Antalya cargo ship and Zambian registered with Zambian flag has nothing to do with social media.
That sea crime has to do with PF regime and its friends.
“[It] … is unfortunate that some people are using social media to commit crimes such as cyberbullying, online sexual harassment and hate speech among others.” Most of these malcontents actually belong to your political party, Sir!
What about those abusing public office for their own benefit? People need cyber space to express themselves.
Ba malupenga if you don’t have anything to say please just keep quiet. What have you done with your own party with the hate speech. You are all clapping ? your hands to that. People come people go you were not born in that office. The things your party PF has done has come before God and you have been found wanting. Others may come and do a better job. Twanaka nobufi bwenu ba PF.
So abusing press conferences and TV appearances, especially by PF government officials, is permitted? As opposition parties are barred from appearing on ZNBC or in any state owned media, you can only blame Edgar China Lungu and his corrupt friends!
And the biggest abuser on social media is KZ, who gets away with misspelled words; never gets moderated or told off – including LT here. Partisan CORRUPT behaviour from the worst government this country has ever had!
When e was working for The Post Newspaper you were so intelligent but the moment you were brought into the boat,boom!your brain is scattered,Malupenga why?
No corruption take my name out of your ugly head. I wouldn’t be surprised if you call my name while on top of your ugly wlfe.
This is a timely message. We have social media clowns like hh who are busy inciting gullible tribal supporters with propagandist posts. He should remember we now have cyber law
Kaizer Zulu and Amos Malupenga are leaving proof that prostitutes do give birth
Only govts that are not accountable and transparent have issues with social media
“[It] … is unfortunate that some people are using social media to commit crimes such as cyberbullying, online sexual harassment and hate speech among others.” Most of these malcontents actually belong to your political party, Sir! A clear example is the so-called Kaizar Zulu, whose cyberbullying and profanity appears above. It appears he represents ECL and the PF, since his bulling and profanity are directed at citizens who are in the opposition. Actions speak louder than words, sir; you need to clean house before you come out warning members of the public who are outside your household.
By the way, LT also needs to warn or even ban the so-called Kaizar Zulu so that the good, informative, dependable, and credible Web site on happenings in Zambia cannot be sanctioned by the government for allowing cyberbulling, hate speech and unprintables or profanity.
@KCM Sellout journalists. There are so many of these sebana wikute reporters our country’s demise can easily be seen by their numbers
@KCM he is but a Sellout journalist. There are so many of these sebana wikute reporters our country’s demise can easily be seen by their numbers
Juju man stop taking crack there abroad in America. You are a mad boy. Fuseke