Zambia Intensifies Online Safety Measures Amid Digital Growth, President Urges Balance
LUSAKA – President Hakainde Hichilema has announced that Zambia is scaling up efforts to shield its citizens from harmful online activity, citing the dual-edged nature of the country’s rapidly expanding digital space.
Speaking in the capital, the President acknowledged that social media platforms have unlocked significant new opportunities for communication, business, and innovation. However, he warned they are also powerful vectors for misinformation, harassment, identity misuse, and alarmist content.
“As we adapt to this fast-changing digital landscape, we must be vigilant,” President Hichilema stated. “Our collective task is to protect the sacred right to free expression while actively confronting the growing ills of cyberbullying and the misuse of digital identities.”
The call for a balanced approach comes amid ongoing national debates about digital rights and cybersecurity. In recent years, Zambia’s cybercrime legislation has been actively enforced, leading to several high-profile cases where individuals were charged or imprisoned for posting online insults directed at public officials, including the president.
These cases have sparked discussions on the line between criminal speech and protected political commentary. President Hichilema’s remarks suggest an awareness of these concerns, emphasizing the need to safeguard open discourse even as the government moves to curb digital abuse.
Digital rights advocates are likely to scrutinize the forthcoming “intensified efforts” to see how the administration navigates the complex interplay between security, safety, and civil liberties online. The government has not yet detailed specific new policies, but the President’s statement signals that regulating the digital sphere is a rising priority for Zambia.
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