Aiming to tighten oversight of digital platforms and combat the unchecked spread of misinformation, Zimbabwe is in the process of drafting a new law to regulate social media use, according to Information, Publicity, and Broadcasting Services Minister Jenfan Muswere.
Speaking during a public address on Wednesday, Muswere said the forthcoming legislation is a response to growing concerns about the unregulated use of social media in the country—concerns that are increasingly echoed across the African continent. He argued that the current digital landscape is being exploited by anonymous or fake accounts—what he referred to as “ghost accounts”—to spread disinformation, attack national institutions, and manipulate public discourse.
“We cannot allow a situation where individuals hide behind anonymity to demonize our country and distort facts. Some former journalists, now self-proclaimed ‘cashvists,’ are using social media not to inform, but to promote personal or external agendas without any adherence to journalistic ethics,” Muswere stated, aiming at content creators and influencers who, he claims, are driven more by profit than integrity.
The proposed law, according to the minister, will introduce stricter accountability mechanisms for social media users and content distributors. It is expected to target online abuse, hate speech, and the spread of false narratives while upholding the public’s right to access verified information.
This move aligns with Zimbabwe’s broader national development vision—Vision 2030—a government-led strategic plan launched in 2019 under the leadership of President Emmerson Mnangagwa. The plan aims to transform Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income economy by 2030, emphasizing sustainable growth, digital modernization, and inclusive governance.
Muswere emphasized that despite the need for regulation, the government remains committed to transparency and media access. “Our governance structure ensures that information flows through established, credible channels—parliamentarians, ministers, spokespersons, and official communication platforms,” he said.
He also noted that the ministry will continue organizing media tours and ministerial Q&A sessions to provide journalists with firsthand access to government programs and development projects. These initiatives, he argued, reflect Zimbabwe’s efforts to build trust with the public and the press while balancing the need for digital accountability.
If enacted, the new social media law would place Zimbabwe among a growing number of African nations seeking to regulate digital communication spaces to prevent the weaponization of social media, even as critics raise questions about free speech and the potential misuse of such laws.
