Social media endangers lives
Speaking in the Oshana Region, information minister Tjekero Tweya has warned users of social media against disseminating fake news and providing too much personal information.
The minister of information communication and technology (ICT) says people using social media platforms end up endangering not only their lives but that of fellow countrymen and -women.
Tweya made the remarks at the weekend when he was addressing the community of Ompundja and Onyeka villages in the Oshana Region.
Tweya made reference to people who use social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp to share their location, saying criminals use such information to break into their homes and rob them of their valuables.
“If you do not use the technology for the right reasons you end up endangering your own life and that of your family,” Tweya warned.
“For example, you post a picture of yourself in Windhoek enjoying yourself at Heroes' Acre and when criminals have access to this information, they will use that information to go and rob your home and if your children are at home, you will have endangered their lives,” Tweya further said.
He therefore cautioned Namibians saying, as much as they want to share information on social media platforms, people should be careful about what they share.
Tweya further said what is known as “fake news” comes from the fact that everyone has become a journalist in Namibia and he warned people to be careful about the information they consume from social media platforms.
He added that apart from tarnishing other people's lives, all sorts of negative and fake news that is put out on these platforms put everyone at risk.
“We should be careful about the information we have access to and as people we should learn to assess information and make informed decisions,” Tweya said.
“It is not always that you get the correct information and some of this information is a risk to the security of the state where you endanger the lives of fellow citizens,” the minister said.
Regarding access to information, Tweya also used the opportunity to inform the community about government's efforts to have 100% telecommunication network coverage in the country.
He said the project will commence in the current financial year. The regions have been divided into four clusters to roll out this programme.
The minister said it will not take another 27 years before the country can have all corners of the country connected saying that it will take a shorter period.
Tweya said priority will be given to all constituency offices throughout the regions.
“This is not an empty promise by the party, we will deliver and it will be delivered. We fought for the development of the country, we are doing it and we will continue doing it,” Tweya promised.
KENYA KAMBOWE
Tweya made the remarks at the weekend when he was addressing the community of Ompundja and Onyeka villages in the Oshana Region.
Tweya made reference to people who use social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp to share their location, saying criminals use such information to break into their homes and rob them of their valuables.
“If you do not use the technology for the right reasons you end up endangering your own life and that of your family,” Tweya warned.
“For example, you post a picture of yourself in Windhoek enjoying yourself at Heroes' Acre and when criminals have access to this information, they will use that information to go and rob your home and if your children are at home, you will have endangered their lives,” Tweya further said.
He therefore cautioned Namibians saying, as much as they want to share information on social media platforms, people should be careful about what they share.
Tweya further said what is known as “fake news” comes from the fact that everyone has become a journalist in Namibia and he warned people to be careful about the information they consume from social media platforms.
He added that apart from tarnishing other people's lives, all sorts of negative and fake news that is put out on these platforms put everyone at risk.
“We should be careful about the information we have access to and as people we should learn to assess information and make informed decisions,” Tweya said.
“It is not always that you get the correct information and some of this information is a risk to the security of the state where you endanger the lives of fellow citizens,” the minister said.
Regarding access to information, Tweya also used the opportunity to inform the community about government's efforts to have 100% telecommunication network coverage in the country.
He said the project will commence in the current financial year. The regions have been divided into four clusters to roll out this programme.
The minister said it will not take another 27 years before the country can have all corners of the country connected saying that it will take a shorter period.
Tweya said priority will be given to all constituency offices throughout the regions.
“This is not an empty promise by the party, we will deliver and it will be delivered. We fought for the development of the country, we are doing it and we will continue doing it,” Tweya promised.
KENYA KAMBOWE
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