Atwoli Urges Govt to Regulate Social Media Platforms Amid Misuse
Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has proposed the regulation of social media in a bid to tackle the growing misuse of digital platforms.
Atwoli, who spoke during the COTU Shop Stewards Meeting on Saturday, April 5, called on members of the public to tone down negative criticism, warning that social media misuse could drive away potential investors.
The COTU boss noted that the spread of misinformation and propaganda on social media could incite violence and lead to conflicts such as those witnessed in some African countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Somalia, and South Sudan.
“Those on social media must stop propaganda. You must love this country; if you do not love it, investors will go away. You will begin fights and end up like Sudan and Congo,” Atwoli said.
“You cannot even go to Goma or other countries engaged in war. In Somalia, they have never had a stable government, and we do not want to take that route. Now, it will force us to tell the government to regulate social media,” he added.
While calling for the regulation of digital platforms, Atwoli urged President William Ruto’s administration to emulate other countries, such as China, which currently regulates social media platforms such as TikTok and WhatsApp.
