The Government has warned administrators of diaspora-run Facebook pages accused of spreading inflammatory and misleading content ahead of the general elections.
Speaking to journalists in Lusaka, Ministry of Information and Media Permanent Secretary Thabo Kawana cautioned the administrators against assuming they are beyond the reach of the law simply because they operate from outside Zambia.
Kawana said some of the individuals behind the pages had already been identified and visited, warning that they would eventually be held accountable for the content they publish.
“A lot of citizens are wondering why government is not shutting these pages down. Their domains are outside the country and are run by Zambians who are in the diaspora,” he said.
He expressed concern that much of the alleged misinformation circulating on the platforms is related to the election, arguing that such content has the potential to undermine peace and stability.
Kawana further alleged that some Facebook pages are deliberately publishing alarming and inflammatory posts with the intention of inciting unrest in the country.
He also claimed that several of the pages are operated by the same individuals using different platforms to amplify their messages.
The Permanent Secretary warned that those responsible should not consider themselves untouchable because they are based abroad, stressing that their actions would have consequences.
“Their days are numbered, and they will be made to answer for the things they post,” Kawana said.