Net censorship in Zimbabwe
p2p news / p2pnet: Zimbabwe may soon institute a new law to allow the government to monitor and intercept Net communications.
The Interception of Communication Bill will empower the government to monitor telephones and electronic mail of any individuals suspected of threatening "national security," says The Zimbabwean.
"The government will set up a ‘communication centre to monitor and intercept certain communications in the course of their transmission through a telecommunication, postal or any other related service system,’ reads part of the Bill."
President Robert Mugabe is likely to use his ruling Zanu (PF) party’s majority in Parliament to push through the Bill in the next three months, says the story, continuing
"Last month, Zimbabwean journalists, media lawyers and internet service providers vowed to lobby parliamentarians to block the passage of the new law saying it violated their constitutional right to freedom of expression.
"Human rights groups in Zimbabwe say Mugabe wants to use the law to stifle criticism because of the severe six-year old economic crisis many blame on his government’s wrong policies."
The Zimbabwean says the country already has some of the toughest media laws in the world.
Also See:
The Zimbabwean – New law permits email snooping, June 1, 2007
