The Young Africa Leadership Initiative (YALI) says there is no way the Patriotic Front (PF) government can abuse the cyber security bill when enacted into law to rig the August 12, 2021 general elections because there is no link between cyber security and how election are conducted.
Responding to social media claims that the PF government is in a hurry to enact the bill into law to prolong its stay in power, YALI president Andrew Ntewewe said critics have no basis for their claims.
Mr. Ntewewe said there is urgent need to regulate the use of cyber space which has led to cyberbullying, social anxiety, depression, and exposure to content that is not age appropriate.
He stated in an interview with ZANIS that as the country prepares for the general elections, people should not be allowed to abuse social media to an extent that they cause alarm in the country.
“Causing alarm may lead to panic and anxiety and people may react in different ways and the results may be disastrous. That is why we must be able to regulate the use of cyberspace,” he said.
Mr. Ntewewe observed that Zambia has a clean record of having free, fair and credible elections and the abuse of social media can lead to social strife.
“We are in a democracy, certain people will always criticize the government. They will criticize even progressive ideas, some don’t even know why they are opposed to the bill,” he said.
He further said people must be able to understand that the government wants to improve democracy.
“We believe that once enacted into law, this bill will enhance good governance because we have a lot of people who have been bullied, harassed, and intimidated on social media to such an extent that the democratic space is shrinking,” he said.
Mr. Ntewewe stated that those with opposing views on certain ideas are being harassed and are afraid to share their views.
“But today, we have a clique that has taken over social media that will criticize anyone with divergent views. That is unacceptable,” he said.
He further stressed the need to regulate social media to protect women, girls, and others who are intimidated and bullied on cyberspace.
Cabinet recently approved the introduction and publication of a bill to introduce the law on cybersecurity and cybercrimes.
According to Chief Government Spokesperson Dora Siliya, the introduction of the cybersecurity law is meant to promote the responsible use of social media platforms as well as ensure the provision of cybersecurity in the country.
This ***** also
Forget that foolish law zambians are not fools,how far have they gone with honey bee ,and chilufya ?
‘Mr. Ntewewe observed that Zambia has a clean record of having free, fair and credible elections’-Which Zambia?
‘and intimidated on social media to such an extent that the democratic space is shrinking,”’-What about the crude intimidation of non party supporters?-What law is going to be enacted here-
social media is here to stay, the same law you use to jail those who print or say unpalatables,should continue to be used-unless there is no such law or a reason should be furnished as to its inadequacies-
Only a very dull upnd cadre and their diasporan supporters can believe that any government can rig based on some cyber law. Upnd are losing so badly. Even the ndc spokeswoman has just announced that pf is winning.
Is he a gvt spokesman??
The next govt should promise to reverse the PF cyber law, simple.
Kaizar Zulu once the cyber security bill is enacted are you going to stop insulting upnd and zambians living in the diaspora
How does he know they can’t. When did he become an ICT expert?
“…….because there is no link between cyber security and how election are conducted……”
Yes there is …….
Anf group chat for party organisations can be called criminal planning by this PF ……, , Although they can’t hack into whatsup chats, all they need to do is plant a mole to post one bad message ……then the whole group gets arrested…….
Such laws are dangerous in the hands of a dictator wannabe
When u see PF Cadres fight for the Cyber and Security Bill like this then u know this Bill is no good. The Bill will stifle human rights by closing the little Media, Civic and Political Space that remains. The law is targeted at Opposition Parties in Zambia and will be weoponised by the PF Govt to stop the Opposition Parties from Election Campaigns and will be used to close the Internet and Social Media so that the PF Govt can rig the Election quietly and secretly. ECL is emulating his Godfather M7 who recently closed the Internet and Social Media and rigged the Ugandan Elections. Why is this Bill being rushed 5 Months b4 the August 12,2021 Elections? The Parliamentary Join Committee did the right thing when they recommend further Consultations among all stakeholders. PF MPs will become…
Ntewewe is a PF Cadre and whatever he says the opposite is true. All right thinking MPs should vote against this Repressive Bill. All Citizens Rights and Freedoms will taken away by this Bill which is as bad as Bill 10. Cyber and Security Law is desperately needed by PF to help it rig the 2021 Elections. All MPs should say No to this Bill.
This YALI fooool is an utter disgrace remember Bill 10!!
He is always spitting saliva when talking.
Is this id1ot for real, this chap is more of a p0rn party carder than civil society… This guy is just as dull as stup1d useless drunk worst president on earth with an empty tin can on his head
Who paid it? ni Malanje?
We have seen elsewhere such laws being used to shrink Media, Civic and Political Spaces. They are fast tracking this for use around August 12, 2021 the Election Day. Just like M7 did in Uganda ECL wants this law to close the Internet and Social Media so that he can rig the votes, vote counting and announcing Election Results under a Media blackout. All PF and Opposition MPs must reject this Repressive Bill to protect People’s Rights and Freedoms. If MPs approve this Repressive Bill they will become victims of the same law. The writing is on the wall.
Useless chap
pffffffffffff A PARTY LIKE UNIP PRACTICING “ONE PARTY PARTICIPATORY DEMOCROCY ”
BUT THE ONLY PARTICIPATION IS YOU WILL VOTE FOR PF EVERY 5 YEARS
Mr PRESIDENT GET RID OF THIS kz CHAP BY YOUR SIDE… INSULTING WOMEN AND CHILDREN HE IS NOT AN ASSET TO YOU
BUT A MAJOR LIABILITY……..
OR PERHAPS WE SHOULD LEAVE HIM ALONE TO DO MORE DAMAGE
I KNOW MY CHOICE AND SO DO A LOT OF LADY VOTERS
You fail to put laws that protects citizens against cadres then you want to put laws that punishes citizens. Very stupid.
We know who is circulating fake information on social media, its UPND leader HH and its cadres as they are obsessed with PF!
All the false claims will vanish once the elections get over! This is fake propaganda of Hichilema to target the government.
We are so used to such fake news, photos, and videos that we are now unbothered! Our focus is clear, to vote for President Lungu.
It is funny to see that the opposition is linking everything with PF like rising covid-19 cases, pandemic, and when nothing is left they create fake news to target the ruling party.
I guess Hichilema knows that the August election only hopes for his drowning political career. He just wants to win the election by hook or cook!
The main reason to pass the Cybersecurity bill in the parliament because during the election period, the ratio of fake information increases which confuses innocent people and such information has the capability to damage the peace of the country.
Whatever happens, we will vote for President Lungu!!!!
HH is sharing photos and videos claiming that PF distributed stolen money among its party cadres. We are wondering from where he is getting this information.
Even Zambians are smart, they won’t fall into the dirty trap of UPND and his fake media houses.
HH can never win against our strong, powerful leader Mr. Lungu. Hichilema can only create lies and criticize the government.