Govt. still concerned with social media abusers

Government has continued to express concern with the rampant abuse of the online publications and social media.

Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, Joseph Katema says social media network abusers unproductive.

Dr. Katema, who is Chief Government Spokesperson, observed that some people have turned online publications as platforms for insults and all sorts of malicious statements against certain people.

He said this in Lusaka today when he officiated at the 2014 social good summit whose theme was, “connecting for good; connecting for all”.

Dr. Katema said the theme was good as it was in line with the government’s policy of ensuring that all corners of the country were technologically connected through the revised sixth national development plan.

The minister was however happy with the growth of the social media and its innovations especially on matters of health, HIV/AIDS and development in general.

He cited the U-Report that is advocating for young people to get involved in their reproductive health lives as one of the good ways of using social media.

He further said the Bongo Hive and Mwana Project are changing people’s lives for the better through social media.

And speaking earlier, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Country Director Viola Morgan observed that new technology and innovations are unfolding frequently.

Ms. Morgan said with the rapid development of new tools and ways to communicate, the generation of today holds the keys to making the world a better place to live in in future.

She said the social media has significantly helped in shaping the values of the youths in the country.