#HandsOffSocialMedia: South Africa responds to social media regulations

In a press briefing yesterday, Minister of State Security David Mahlobo hinted at the possibility of social media regulation in an attempt to counter “false narratives”.

Mahlobo claimed that instead of bringing people together in a positive way, social media has become a cesspool for negativity, lies and fake news.

“Even the best democracies that are revered, [are] regulating [social media]. Most of our challenges are coming from that space. We will discuss how we will regulate it,” he claimed.

For many South Africans, Twitter is a way to let their voices be heard. It can be argued that the democratic system of South Africa is convoluted and it’s difficult for the average citizen to participate directly.

Social media can act as a community forum, and hashtags can bring people interested in specific political issues together — like we’ve seen with #xenophobia and #FeesMustFall.

True to form, Twitter has pushed back against the suggested regulations with #HandsOffSocialMedia.

Many are criticising the ANC for focusing on such a minor issue when there are more important problems to address.

#HandsOffSocialMedia minimum wage R3500, 10kg rice R99,00 Black Twitter FREE and now they wanna take that away from us…shu

— Stunner (@thabethenqobza) March 6, 2017

Or maybe focusing on the social grants which is one of the issues now in SA #HandsOffSocialMedia https://t.co/SUE0AvMGMS

— ThabangNyalungu (@ThabangNyalungu) March 6, 2017

ANC can you please focus on important things like NSFAS for now, thousands of students got rejected.#HandsOffSocialMedia

— MaKhabazelaOmuhle👑❤ (@squmkhize) March 6, 2017

#HandsOffSocialMedia
ANC before y’all pointing dry dirty fingers at our social media please make sure those nasty fingers are clean.

— Moses Maibelo (@moses_maibelo) March 6, 2017

Others are pointing out that regulation of speech is undemocratic and unconstitutional.

The ratings from https://t.co/Sf8SeBi3wN are clear: Mahlobo’s claim that “revered” democracies censor media is untrue #HandsOffSocialMedia

— David Reiersgord (@reiersgord) March 6, 2017

#HandsOffSocialMedia
ANC E wants to regulate smh since when is South Africa 🇿🇦 china 🇨🇳

— 🇿🇦 EFFWORD 🔥☠️ (@TIAGOSOUL_) March 6, 2017

They should start by copying the economic growth first from China, how about 6,5 growth b4 thinking social media? #HandsOffSocialMedia

— Southinah Matlala (@SouthinaM) March 6, 2017

Regulation of Social Media will undermine democracy#HandsOffSocialMedia

— Khulekani Mjwara (@KhulekaniMj) March 6, 2017

Ain’t a secret that ANC is anti-constitution. They must keep politics away from social media. #HandsOffSocialMedia

— ♛The Trillest King♛ (@TumediTreezy) March 6, 2017

But there are those who believe regulations would be good for South Africa.

@eNCA All vitriolic anonymous hate speech does need to be regulated otherwise the constitution allows freedom of speech #HandsoffSocialMedia

— Sarah Cangley (@cheek2chic) March 6, 2017

Others just want to see the anger on Twitter translated into votes.

SAns are good when it comes to hashtags, come 2019 the ANC will still be in power and we will be faced with big probems #HandsOffSocialMedia

— Lwazi (@CeleLwazi) March 6, 2017

Let’s stop complaining on social media and take action in 2019 on the elections. They take us for fools.#HandsOffSocialMedia

— JALI. (@SiyaJudge) March 6, 2017

And others couldn’t be less concerned.

Black Twitter is not worried about ANC regulating Social media because we all know that ANC don’t keep their promises. #HandsOffSocialMedia

— IG:AdvBarryRoux (@Barry_Roux) March 6, 2017

Featured image: GovernmentZA via Flickr (CC 2.0, resized)