from ALFRED SHILONGO in Windhoek, Namibia
Namibia Bureau
WINDHOEK, (CAJ News) – NAMIBIAN Minister of Information and Communication Technology ICT), Emma Theofelus says the country has no intention of controlling the use of social media.
These fears among the media and public arise from the ongoing Ethical Use of Social Media campaign run by the government.
“On the contrary, we want Namibian citizens to be conscious of potential security risks and harm that they may face during their online interactions,” Theofelus said.
She added, “Hence it is imperative that we join forces as stakeholders to educate our netizens on constructive use of social media and how to be safe online.”
Theofelus was speaking at an engagement with editors and senior representatives from various media institutions in the capital, Windhoek, on Monday.
The primary objective of the engagement was to align the fourth estate to the ministry’s Ethical Use of Social Media campaign, as well as the Brand Namibia initiative.
“Collaborative efforts between the government and the media are crucial in educating the public on various government-led behavioural campaigns,” Theofelus said.
The Ethical Use of Social Media campaign was recently launched to address the rising scourge of cyber crime in the southern African nation.
At the launch of the campaign in August, police disclosed that between April 2022 and April 2025, a total number of 11 990 fraud and 9 039 crimen injuria cases committed via online platforms were reported to police countrywide.
During the same period, there were six cases of trafficking in persons, involving 38 Namibians recruited by other nationals, were reported. The victims were lured online.
– CAJ News