Fake news still big challenge in Tanzania, TCRA says
From left, Tanzania Communication Regulation Authority (TCRA) Director General, James Kilaba, Tanzania Bloggers Network (TBN) Chairman, Joachim Mushi Mushi TCRA, Board Chairman, Dr Jones Killimbe, Mkurugenzi wa Utangazaji wa TCRA Board Casting Director, Fredrick Ntobi and TCRA’s Content Committee Chairperson, Valerie Msoka shake hands after they launch of second phase campaign of better use of social media in Dar es Salaam yesterday during online media forum. PHOTO | SALIM SHAO
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Tanzania Police Force (TPC) Cybercrime Department Assistant Superintendent Joshua Mwangasa said on Friday September 22.
False publication of information and fake accounts through social media is still a big challenge in the country due to lack of awareness on the importance of social media use.
Tanzania Police Force (TPC) Cybercrime Department Assistant Superintendent Joshua Mwangasa said on Friday September 22.
He made the remarks during a media workshop on online media organised by Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA)
According to him, in 2015/16 more than 7,000 cases of fake accounts and false information were reported, while in December 2016, a total number of 5,175 cases were reported.
“Since January to June this year, 3,340 cases have been reported to police stations so far and several people have been arraigned over the matter,” he said.
He noted though that an increase in online media users didn’t mean cases would continue increasing, but the most important issue was TCRA to have a policy that would be followed by all bloggers and social media networks.
Mr Mwangasa explained further that the responsible organs should provide awareness to the community on the importance of using online media. “If well used, it will help develop the country’s economy including businesses, education, politics and networks, but if misused it will contribute to the breach of the peace.
He urged TCRA to set up an organ that would help monitor overseas social media network such as Facebook, whatsapp, twitter and Instagram.
“Most of the social media outlets are based abroad. Therefore, if TCRA comes up with a strategy to monitor this fake and false publications of information will reduce,” he noted.
Tanzania Bloggers Network (TBN) representative Maxence Melo said lack of awareness on cybercrime and statistics acts was among the factors that led people to post false information.
“To implement the cybercrime and statistics laws the government should have involved the community before formulating them because the two laws seem to be un-implementable since most of the people were not well informed.
