The Sunday Mail
Gibson Nyikadzino CCOSA Head of Journalism
Minister of Information Communication Technology (ICT), Postal and Courier Services Honourable Supa Mandiwanzira last Wednesday urged journalism students from the Christian College of Southern Africa (CCOSA) to ignore uniformed calls by ignorant people who do not understand the background to the Computer Crime and Cyber Crime Bill.
In his public discussion, the minister dismissed calls across the political quarters that the bill has been established because government is afraid of the “recent disruptive demonstrations” but urged the students to read the bill in order for them to inform others from a fact-based point of view.
Some students asked why the bill has been tabled in the wake of the recent wave of protests in the previous weeks.
Hon. Mandiwanzira said the background to the Computer Crime and Cyber Crime Bill started in 2008 as a result of regional and international consultations to consolidate international ICT policy.
There are a number of issues that the bill seeks to address among them illegal access, illegal interception and data espionage.
“Because of the rising internet penetration in Zimbabwe, which I can safely say is at 50%, we require laws that guide and not control social media use. We are for social media use. ICTs have contributed immensely to better governance. The thing is some politicians have no understanding of the background of the bill.
“They have been saying that we have taken the bill from Swaziland and Lesotho, which is not correct. The most amazing thing is that these people are lawyer politicians. So as young journalists, do not expose your foolishness to go on a public platform and start saying what you have not read about or that the government is trying to stifle media freedom,” he said.
The Nyanga South legislator said his interaction with budding media personnel was a major step towards the consultation process and that deliberations made and suggestions given would be looked at.
Added the minister: “This engagement with CCOSA media students is part of the process to gather views from you. If you have queries with some sections of the bill, feel free to approach my office and ask for time. The problem is we have people who get carried away because they heard other groups shooting down the bill. You need to be good readers and researchers.”
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