2025-02-19

Concerned Citizens Condemns Government’s K5 Billion Social Media Monitoring Project

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The Concerned Citizens of Malawi (People Power Movement) has voiced its strong opposition to the government’s decision to allocate K5 billion for the procurement of a social media monitoring system.

The group argues that, in the digital age, combating misinformation is important, but this move is misguided given the pressing challenges facing Malawians.

In a statement dated 15th January 2025, signed by Comrades Edwards Kambanje and Oliver Nakoma, the Concerned Citizens emphasized that the spread of falsehoods can indeed harm society. However, they questioned the government’s priorities, highlighting that many Malawians are dying from preventable diseases and struggling with hunger. They described the expenditure on surveillance technology as a betrayal of the people’s trust.

“This is a time for the government to make a choice: prioritize the well-being of its citizens or prioritize controlling social media,” reads part of the statement. The group called on all Malawians to stand united in ensuring their voices are heard and their rights protected.

The Concerned Citizens further warned the government that if it proceeds with this “dangerous surveillance technology,” they will mobilize citizens across the country to resist its implementation. The group has pledged to block HASHCOM Ghana Limited, the company contracted to supply, install, and test the system, from carrying out the project in Malawi.

They condemned the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) for awarding the contract, describing the project as an infringement on democratic rights and freedom of expression.

“This reckless decision disregards the struggles of the Malawian people,” the statement continues. “Leadership means making tough decisions that prioritize the lives and dignity of the most vulnerable, not implementing projects that curtail freedoms.”

The Concerned Citizens criticized the project as a direct attack on democracy, urging the government to redirect the funds toward essential services like healthcare, food security, and infrastructure. They concluded with a rallying call:

“The citizens of Malawi deserve more than surveillance. They deserve dignity, access to basic necessities, and a government that chooses care over control, life over monitoring.”

The movement has urged the government to halt the procurement and rethink its priorities to address the real needs of the nation.

 

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