We will not ban social media -Minister

WE will not ban social media in Zambia but complement existing laws to protect citizens from being abused by criminal elements, Transport and Communications Minister, Brian Mushimba has said.

Mr. Mushimba on Sunday laid to rest a debate which had been making rounds in the media suggesting that government was going to ban social media in the country saying it was not true.

Speaking when he featured on ZNBC's Sunday interview, Mr Mushimba said the PF government recognised the importance of social media as a powerful tool in service provision.

He however said government had the responsibility to protect every environment that included the public.

"So let me make it clear, we are not banning social media. What we are saying is that, as government we have the responsibility to protect our Citizens so that they are not abused. So that they are not taken advantage of.

"And on the internet or social media, we have noted with concern, a lot of criminal behaviour and we want to propose bills to parliament among which is the cyber security bill which seeks to control social media abuse and protect people from being exploited," he said.

He said there was rampant abuse of social media through posting of fake news that was taking hold.