Staff Reporter
The Minister for Information, Publicity, and Broadcasting Services, Dr Jenfan Muswere, yesterday warned of the escalating security threat posed by misinformation and disinformation proliferating on social media platforms.
Minister Muswere said this while delivering a public lecture at the Zimbabwe National Defence University in Mazowe.
In his lecture, Minister Muswere highlighted the need for legislative measures to curb this perilous trend and emphasised the imperative of refining existing laws to address the dissemination of both positive and negative content by citizens.
The Minister acknowledged the pivotal role of social media in shaping communication dynamics between the Government and its citizens, while also acknowledging the inherent risks posed to national security by unfettered access to these platforms.
Minister Muswere asserted, "the reality that any citizen of this country can be able to broadcast whatever they would want to broadcast, whether positive or negative, automatically means that we need to refine our laws."
The Minister further emphasised the critical need for a legal framework that ensures the protection of citizens while simultaneously safeguarding national security interests.
He further stressed the evolving nature of national security, urging a redefinition that encompasses the media and social media landscapes, along with robust cybersecurity measures.
Minister Muswere also reiterated the necessity of formulating sustainable ICT and information broadcasting services, coupled with a legal framework designed to shield citizens from potential threats arising from online misinformation.
Emphasising the multifaceted nature of national security concerns, the Minister underscored the need for comprehensive measures addressing media, social media, and cyber-security domains.
"We need to ensure that we come up with sustainable ICT and information publicity and broadcasting services and a legal framework to protect citizens of our country," Minister Muswere remarked.
Meanwhile, the enactment of the Cyber and Data Protection Act in 2021 marked a significant legislative stride in bolstering cybersecurity measures in Zimbabwe.
Aimed at fostering confidence and trust in the secure utilisation of information and communication technologies, this legislation signifies the Government's proactive approach to combating cyber threats and ensuring the integrity of digital ecosystems.
