Online News Publications in Malawi must tread carefully as the newly passed Electronic Transaction Bill is almost ready to punish online publications publishing false information.
Minister of Information and Civic Education Patricia Kaliati sounded warning in an interview that the honeymoon is over now for the online publications that have been publishing false information just to tarnish the image of others.
However, Kaliati said this will not be a witch hunt by Government but people affected with the published information will be alerting police and relevant authorities who will track down the owners of the websites.
The recently passed Bill by Parliament seeks to enable people to transact various services electronically and also ensure that people are protected from computer and internet related harassment including cybercrime.
"Number of online publications have been operating solely to carry false information that have intent to affect the image of someone. This law will stop that and the honeymoon of doing that is over." She warned
"People have been complaining that online publications published an article about them but the information was completely fabrication. Now people had no office to lodge their complaint or follow the owners of the publication but with this law, those affected with any online publication will be alerting police and other relevant authorities about the publication. The responsible authorities will act with no hesitation by tracking down the owners of the publication through their internet providers." Explained Kaliati
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