Social networking Web sites could help foster freedom of expression among Zimbabweans in the wake of Zanu PF's clampdown on civil liberties ahead of elections this year, says a senior Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party member.
President Robert Mugabe's Zanu PF party is reluctant to implement crucial media reforms, as part of the roadmap to free and fair elections, according to the International Crisis Group.
Enhanced usage of social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter helped people in Egypt and Tunisia to mobilise during the Arab Spring revolts that led to the ouster of dictators in Egypt, Tunisia and Libya last year.
It is against this backdrop that Zimbabwe finance minister and MDC secretary general, Tendai Biti, said the country's populace should quickly embrace emerging technology platforms to express themselves more freely.
“The issue of ICT is fundamental [as] battles are no longer fought with guns but on Twitter and Facebook and YouTube. We really have to enter the Internet age,” Biti said.
He also said social networking sites, smartphones, iPads and laptops now form the basis upon which functional states and developing countries can promote democracy and develop their economies.
Zibusiso Dube, a civic activist and information officer at the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association, adds that government departments, ministries and other government arms have to grasp the usage of Web sites, blogs, Facebook and Twitter.
“The onus is on the government and local authorities to use e-governance concepts as a means to increase communication between themselves and the public in order to increase accountability and transparency in their operations.”
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