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Zimbabweans should not abuse the government’s enhancement of the right to access information by peddling falsehoods that may lead to unnecessary mayhem in the country, Information minister Dr Jenfan Muswere has said.
Dr. Muswere warned the public against such behaviour during the belated joint commemorations of the World Post Day and the International Day for Universal Access to Information at Chivi Growth Point in Masvingo province yesterday.
Running under the theme “The importance of online space and universal access to information for a safe and connected future”, the event coalesced the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, the Ministry of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, UNESCO among other stakeholders.
“Worth noting, however, is that while access to information has been enhanced, so too has misinformation and disinformation.
“Let us refrain from abusing the privilege we have in accessing information and deciphering truth from lies. The media is a weapon that should be used responsibly as recklessness could create anarchy and sow seeds of conflict.
“False information has been peddled across the globe, leading to unnecessary panic and mayhem in the worst of scenarios,” Dr. Muswere said.
During his address, Dr. Muswere reprimanded youths for drug and substance abuse, a menace that the government is severely fighting to crush following its harmful effects on users and society at large.
“Let me also take this opportunity to admonish the youths to desist from drugs and substance abuse. As Government, we are totally seized with fighting the menace and ensuring drug peddlers are crushed wherever they are found.”
Meanwhile, ICT minister Tatenda Mavetera officially opened a Community Information Centre and a Public Finance Management System Kiosk at the Growth Point and said the government was working flat out to improve network connectivity and data costs.
“As a ministry and Government, we have started engagements with mobile phone network operators and Potraz to come up with ways of making sure that issues of connectivity, access and affordability are addressed so that the majority of Zimbabweans can communicate without hindrance from any part of the country.’’
“We are concerned about the issue of connectivity and affordability of services, especially internet services and mobile phone network services. We are also aware of consumer issues within the ICT sector such as poor network connectivity. Sometimes consumers have to endure with mobile phones that lose connection abruptly while the cost of mobile phone charges is also very high which militates against President Mnangagwa’s vision of leaving no one and no place behind,” she said.
Zimbabwe Media Commission Professor Ruby Magosvongwe who was part of the commemorations also censured those in the habit of spreading misinformation and disinformation.
“It should be noted that access to information excludes invasion of privacy, incitement of violence, incitement of hate speech, and above all, it does not provide for the creation of falsehoods which are currently witnessed in social platforms today.
“The Zimbabwe Media Commission calls upon all Zimbabweans to desist from abuse of these privileges,” she said.
Through government efforts and partnerships, 14 community radio stations and eight campus radio stations are now dotted across the country to disseminate information. Over 190 mass media services have been registered by the ZMC after the relaxation of requirements to provide media services Nhau/Indaba
