Government has invoked Section 54 of the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act Number 2 of 2021, to deal with people practicing online hate speech, propaganda, defamation and abuse of children online.
Section 54 of the said law provides five years imprisonment for someone convicted for such crimes.
Ministry of Technology and Science Permanent Secretary, Brilliant Habeenzu, says the public is urged to adhere to the law and avoid social media posts that may make them come in conflict with the law.
“WhatsApp group administrators are reminded to curtail postings that are illegal and in bad faith as they will be held responsible for any publication of such information,” said Dr. Habeenzu in a statement issued to RCV News in Lusaka today.
Dr. Habeenzu has therefore urged citizens to be wary of purveyors of fake news, misinformation and propaganda on social media platforms.
He said that Citizens are further urged to be impassioned advocates and champions of responsible use of the cyber space.
Angel Kasabo
