The Sunday News
Khumbulani Vodloza Sibanda
THE world is battling with the deadly coronavirus (Covid-19) which the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared a global emergency that has sadly resulted in the death of thousands of people, across the globe. Italy and Spain are hard hit with daily death tolls reaching hundreds of people. Zimbabwe recently recorded its first casualty, radio and television personality, Zororo Makamba.
The world is under siege from a pandemic of unprecedented proportion of our modern times, which has brought the whole globe on its knees. Unfortunately, some among us have found fodder for the creation of fake news, which has left many Zimbabweans confused as to what is fact and fiction further compounding an already dire situation.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration declared the coronavirus pandemic a National Disaster, to allow Government to mobilise resources and take necessary measures in dealing with the pandemic. Resultantly, the President announced several measures meant to reduce the likelihood of infections and the spread of the disease. Some of the measures include suspending gatherings of more than 50 people, postponing the planned national Independence Celebrations, the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF), banning pending international sporting fixtures and recently the travelling in and out of the country except for returning Zimbabweans and cargo.
Recently, the Government set up a coronavirus taskforce headed by the Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Obadiah Moyo. The country has made adequate contingent measures to prevent and contain the virus and the country remains informed of all necessary information concerning Covid-19 through the relevant structures. Notwithstanding that the Ministry of Health and Child Care has been releasing daily updates on the disease informing the nation of the latest developments.
This is one grave matter that the world is taking seriously. Various bodies and institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), has pledged US$1 trillion, to assist those affected, especially developing countries. The World Bank committed to provide US$12 billion to developing countries to mitigate the impact of the outbreak. Many countries have declared total lockdowns and Zimbabwe has followed suit in view of its constant assessments of the danger to its citizens.
However, what is disheartening are some of the negative sentiments and utterances that emanate from Government critics who thrive on pessimism bent on causing alarm and despondency who have taken upon themselves to propagate fake news. It is scandalous how some Zimbabweans wish ill over their country, to the extent that before the recorded cases of Covid-19, they found pleasure in announcing that the disease was already in the country, formulating conspiracy theories of a country already ravaged by the virus and the Government was covering up.
Some Zimbabweans desperately wanted the country to record Covid-19 cases so as to prove the Zanu-PF Government was not prepared for the virus as they have been alleging on social media. Resultantly fake coronavirus cases were being manufactured on computer screens to achieve self-fulfilling prophesies.
Recently falsehoods were being circulated on social media that President Mnangagwa had abandoned his Munhumutapa offices because Zororo Makamba who later succumbed to coronavirus had visited the offices. Some are peddling fake news alleging that the donation of medical sundries for the coronavirus by Jack Ma, the Chinese billionaire was being diverted to a private hospital ear-marked for the treatment of ministers who would have contacted the Covid-19. Zimbabweans, really. Why do we come up with these self-hurting theories?
The propagation of fake news on Covid-19 does not benefit anyone but only serve to undermine Government and the efforts being made to give credible and reliable information to the public amidst this deadly virus. From the foregoing, the need for the country to have laws that punish individuals who propagate fake news on social media platforms should be expedited now more than ever. It is encouraging to note that Government, through the cyber crimes, cyber security and Data Protection Bill which is before Parliament would be addressing that. The Bill contains provisions that would penalise unruly elements that make fake posts concerning the country, on social media. Fake news is considered a threat to national security as it causes alarm and despondency. People tend to panic, as well as engage in risky behaviour, if they are ill-informed and fed falsehoods.
Zimbabwe’s position against fake news and threats to national security is also shared by other countries such as the United Kingdom (UK). On 26 February 2020, MDC UK-based activist, Martin William Chinyanga, was arrested by the UK Anti-Terror Police on terrorism charges after he released a video on Facebook in December 2019, encouraging Zimbabweans to burn down service stations and businesses, in protest against the Government.
Other developed countries have laws against fake news. In 2019, Singapore, passed The Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act, which requires online platforms, including social networking, search engines and news aggregation services, to issue corrections or remove content that the Government deemed false. Individuals found guilty of violating the law, both inside and outside the country, could face fines of up to $60 000 or prison terms of up to 10 years.
In 2018, eight countries, notably, UK, France, Ireland, Belgium, Argentina, Canada, Brazil and Singapore, met under The International Grand Committee on Disinformation and False News, to discuss the spread of disinformation and the threat of fake news and counter-strategies thereof.
Most recently in Kenya, a 23-year-old man was arrested and charged with publishing false information with the intent to cause panic, after allegedly spreading disinformation about the coronavirus. The coronavirus is no laughing matter and Zimbabweans should be cautioned for spreading falsehoods on social media just for the funny of it as they have been doing on other weighty issues in the country. South Africa has also come up with a law against fake news.
Regardless of laws, Zimbabweans should generally develop a culture of speaking positively on their country, offer constructive criticism and demand answers from respective authorities when in doubt as opposed to peddling lies. By extension a person’s love for their country is also easily transferable across borders, and can work for the positive socio-economic-political well-being of one’s nation.
Fake news also works against national peace and unity, as it is divisive. Citizens are made to turn against each other and a lot of energy is channelled towards redressing falsehoods, instead of pushing the country forward. Also, when it matters the most, citizens may end up ignoring certain information, dismissing it as false. It is important that people verify information before they take part in peddling false information.
Unity of purpose is important. As President Mnangagwa rightfully said, Zimbabweans should join hands with the rest of the world and tackle the coronavirus pandemic, collectively. In the same manner, Zimbabweans should reprimand those who propagate fake news, and encourage one other to portray Zimbabwe positively.
