Published: 04 June 2018

The Zimbabwean government says it will not interfere with internet connectivity or sanction the illicit monitoring of citizens' private communication over the election period, reports the Sunday Mail.

ICT and Cyber Security Minister Supa Mandiwanzira said the use of internet will be promoted to facilitate communication in line with government's new approach of promoting individual freedoms.

Industry regulator, Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) will soon begin an aggressive public awareness programme to promote responsible use of internet-based communication platforms, including social media. Internet shutdowns have been used in several jurisdictions as governments grappled with the rising tide of fake news.

Mandiwanzira said the government does not have an appetite to interfere with social media freedoms. He said the president who is an active participant on social media, is serious about promoting individual freedoms. He, however, cautioned against fake news and stories that needlessly cause alarm and despondency, especially on the new media platforms.

The Ministier said the president is very serious about promoting individual freedoms and is not in any way prepared to curtail people's access to the internet during and after the election period. President Mnangagwa routinely uses social media to interact with Zimbabweans from around the world. As of 01 June, he had over 320 000 followers on Facebook and 130 000 followers on Twitter, said the minister. He has also been actively encouraging Zanu-PF's supporters to aggressively promote the party's policies on social media.
- telecompaper

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