Government considers policing social media

[Dave A]

State Security Minister David Mahlobo says the government is considering regulating social media in an effort to curb the proliferation of what he described as "false" information.

"Regulation is the way to go," the 45-year-old minister said, adding that the planned measures would also go after misleading photoshopped images.
Source eNCA here

Just what powers do they hope to gain that they haven't got already?

[Mike C]

Just what powers do they hope to gain that they haven't got already?

Back to censorship I would imagine.

[Xplosiv]

Looks like they're using China as their role model.

[Justloadit]

The more they change, the more they are aligning to the previous regime.
I am getting worried with the arrogance in which our current ministers are showing towards the media and public in general.
They are forgetting that they are elected by the people, however the majority of the people are oblivious to this, and continue supporting these arrogant ministers.
I hope that 2019 is not too far away, and that the losers step down gracefully and not attempt to cling to power as some of our other northern neighbours have done.

[Dave A]

They've already manged to drag people to account for "racist rants" on Facebook. Why is fake news any different?

Yes, it's probably posted from a "fake profile", but how do they hope to legislate against that?
Make social media websites FICA or RICA their users?