News / National
'MDC-T to control use of WhatsApp by members,' says Gutu
09 Feb 2015 at 13:28hrs | Views
Obert Gutu the MDC-T National Spokesperson has defended Morgan Tsvangirai on for instituting a code on how MDC-T members are going to use whatsapp and other social media platforms.
In his statement to the press, Gutu said MDC-T is a voluntary organisation and members are bound by certain rules and regulations.
"As a voluntary association, the MDC-T is bound by certain rules and regulations. Indeed, all voluntary associations the world over (including churches and business associations); have to abide by a certain code of conduct in order to achieve stability, unity and cohesion."
Gutu denied that Tsvangirai has banned his followers from using WhatsApp.
"The insinuation that party members are no longer allowed to use social media is thus palpably false misleading, preposterous and malicious," said Obert Gutu the MDC-T National Spokesperson.
"Party members are free to use social media in accordance with the guidelines and standards that are being set up by the party leadership. Social media platforms should not be abused to promote hatred, division, gossiping and rumour -mongering. These guidelines are being made available to all party members who would like to use social media platforms to communicate amongst themselves. Should there be any doubt as to what these guidelines are, my office is more than willing and able to assist any party members who are keen to activate their social media platforms."
Meanwhile, the party's secretary general Douglas Mwonzora said some MDC-T members were accused of using the groups to spread lies and hate speech and therefore the party has decided to institute some guidelines and standards to curb social media abuse.
"What the president has directed is that we shut down the social media groups first and then those who want to open them will then open them subject to certain rules that we are going to give them," Mwonzora said.
"There is no need to use social media to divide the party, to engage in hate language," he said.
A document purporting to come from MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai's office was circulated on social media earlier on Friday.
"I issue the following order: Any WhatsApp group administered by anyone who is an MDC member, without exception, be shut down with immediate effect," it read.
Twitter users criticised the move as petty and unnecessary.
Mwonzora said that last week a "false" story was spread on WhatsApp about a challenge to Tsvangirai from senior party officials.
"It is not part of freedom of expression to spread falsehoods or engage in hate language," he said.
Twitter users criticised the move as petty and unnecessary.
Mwonzora said that last week a "false" story was spread on WhatsApp about a challenge to Tsvangirai from senior party officials.
"It is not part of freedom of expression to spread falsehoods or engage in hate language," he said.
In his statement to the press, Gutu said MDC-T is a voluntary organisation and members are bound by certain rules and regulations.
"As a voluntary association, the MDC-T is bound by certain rules and regulations. Indeed, all voluntary associations the world over (including churches and business associations); have to abide by a certain code of conduct in order to achieve stability, unity and cohesion."
Gutu denied that Tsvangirai has banned his followers from using WhatsApp.
"The insinuation that party members are no longer allowed to use social media is thus palpably false misleading, preposterous and malicious," said Obert Gutu the MDC-T National Spokesperson.
"Party members are free to use social media in accordance with the guidelines and standards that are being set up by the party leadership. Social media platforms should not be abused to promote hatred, division, gossiping and rumour -mongering. These guidelines are being made available to all party members who would like to use social media platforms to communicate amongst themselves. Should there be any doubt as to what these guidelines are, my office is more than willing and able to assist any party members who are keen to activate their social media platforms."
Meanwhile, the party's secretary general Douglas Mwonzora said some MDC-T members were accused of using the groups to spread lies and hate speech and therefore the party has decided to institute some guidelines and standards to curb social media abuse.
"What the president has directed is that we shut down the social media groups first and then those who want to open them will then open them subject to certain rules that we are going to give them," Mwonzora said.
A document purporting to come from MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai's office was circulated on social media earlier on Friday.
"I issue the following order: Any WhatsApp group administered by anyone who is an MDC member, without exception, be shut down with immediate effect," it read.
Twitter users criticised the move as petty and unnecessary.
Mwonzora said that last week a "false" story was spread on WhatsApp about a challenge to Tsvangirai from senior party officials.
"It is not part of freedom of expression to spread falsehoods or engage in hate language," he said.
Twitter users criticised the move as petty and unnecessary.
Mwonzora said that last week a "false" story was spread on WhatsApp about a challenge to Tsvangirai from senior party officials.
"It is not part of freedom of expression to spread falsehoods or engage in hate language," he said.
Source - Byo24News
