The Zimbabwean government is drafting new legislation to regulate social media use, targeting individuals and groups that exploit digital platforms to spread misinformation, operate ghost accounts, and destabilize the country.
This was revealed by Information, Publicity, and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr. Jenfan Muswere during a recent Ministers Meet the Media event.
Dr. Muswere highlighted that while social media offers valuable opportunities for engagement and communication, it has also become a tool for manipulation. He expressed concern over the rise of anonymous accounts spreading falsehoods and accused certain individuals, including former journalists, of becoming activists-for-hire who use social media to push political agendas without verified information.
“Social media is not properly governed, and this has led to a situation where people are chasing shadows — shadows that have no meaning; shadows run by ghost accounts operated by individuals seeking to demonize their own country,” Dr. Muswere said.
To address these challenges, the proposed legislation aims to establish stricter governance of digital spaces, ensuring accountability among social media users. Dr. Muswere emphasized that the government’s responsibility is to regulate these platforms effectively and ensure they are used responsibly.
“Part of our responsibility as a ministry is to ensure that social media is governed effectively,” he stated. “We are preparing new legislation to regulate these platforms and hold users accountable.”
Zimbabwe already has a governance structure designed to guarantee access to accurate information, Dr. Muswere added. He urged journalists to seek facts from official government sources and to avoid the dissemination of unverified information.
The move to regulate social media aligns with broader efforts to maintain national stability and protect the public from misinformation. However, it is likely to spark debates about the balance between regulation and freedom of expression in the digital age. As the legislation progresses, stakeholders, including media practitioners and civil society groups, will be watching closely to see how it shapes the country’s digital landscape.
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