Stop fake news, govt urges
The ministry of information and communication technology says a recent message circulated on WhatsApp, warning of a purported introduction of stringent controls on social media use, is false and should not be perpetuated.
The message appears to be a screenshot of an NBC broadcast warning of an alleged “network monitoring system” to be introduced by the Namibian government and operated by an Italian firm.
It alleges that the government has passed a new regulation that will monitor and record people's cellphone and social media activities.
The ministry's acting executive director, Tjiuai Kaambo, says the ministry has not passed any new regulation and is not in possession of a system that has links to the public's cellphones.
She says the ministry does not monitor phone calls or social media activities of citizens either.
Kaambo urged the public to be cautious of such “fake news” messages created by people “whose agenda is to create fear and destabilise peace among the public”.
Kaambo said the ministry would ensure that government announcements are communicated to the public in an official manner through all communication platforms.
She urged members of the public to stop circulating fake news, “as it is misleading the public”.
Kaambo said the public should avoid using social media platforms as a “battleground for political character assassination, discrimination, racism, sexism, tribalism, and any other evil deeds to destabilise the peace and stability of the Namibian House”.
“We only have one common heritage, which we guard jealously, and that is Namibia. Let us not play with the name and image of our country. Let our country remain the treasure for all of us at all times,” Kaambo advised.
STAFF REPORTER
The message appears to be a screenshot of an NBC broadcast warning of an alleged “network monitoring system” to be introduced by the Namibian government and operated by an Italian firm.
It alleges that the government has passed a new regulation that will monitor and record people's cellphone and social media activities.
The ministry's acting executive director, Tjiuai Kaambo, says the ministry has not passed any new regulation and is not in possession of a system that has links to the public's cellphones.
She says the ministry does not monitor phone calls or social media activities of citizens either.
Kaambo urged the public to be cautious of such “fake news” messages created by people “whose agenda is to create fear and destabilise peace among the public”.
Kaambo said the ministry would ensure that government announcements are communicated to the public in an official manner through all communication platforms.
She urged members of the public to stop circulating fake news, “as it is misleading the public”.
Kaambo said the public should avoid using social media platforms as a “battleground for political character assassination, discrimination, racism, sexism, tribalism, and any other evil deeds to destabilise the peace and stability of the Namibian House”.
“We only have one common heritage, which we guard jealously, and that is Namibia. Let us not play with the name and image of our country. Let our country remain the treasure for all of us at all times,” Kaambo advised.
STAFF REPORTER
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