Civil society has responded with the usual strident hysteria at the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment Act) 2024, which introduced stringent law against cyber harassment, identity theft and data breaches.
The law, on the face of it draconian, broadens the definition of harassment to include online messages that could trigger psychological harm and which might push vulnerable targets to commit suicide.
This week alone, social media bullies have posted messages and images that mock and ridicule the health challenges that Raila Odinga Jnr, the son of Raila Odinga, has been battling for years, dating back to his very early life. The more empty-headed types have posted images of themselves warping their faces in imitation.
We have millions of thoughtless cyber bullies whose insensitive recklessness must be brought under control.
The misinformation and disinformation campaigns that the anonymity of cyberspace emboldens perpetrators of hate speech to bring out their worst.
Freedom of speech is one of the key tenets of a democracy, but criminals cannot hide behind the law to harm innocent law-abiding citizens without facing any consequence.
Every freedom must be exercised with responsibility. Besides, we have a dependable justice system to arbitrate abuse of the law.
Quote of the day: “You have meddled with the primal forces of nature and You! Will! Atone!” —American psychologist Arthur Jensen died on October 22, 2012
