- October 27, 2017
- Posted by: Admin
- Category: News Stories
Commission Staff participated in a round-table meeting convened by Facebook at Radisson Hotel on Tuesday, 3rd October, 2017. The meeting, which was facilitated by Facebook Public Policy Manager – SADC Ms. Emilar Ghandi and Facebook Africa Public Policy Manager Mr. Kojo Boake, was also attended by representatives from Zambian Civil Society and Government.
Participants at the round-table meeting discussed the use of the Facebook and shared some of their challenges and expectations with use of the platform.
Public Relations Officer, Mr. Raphael Phiri said that he learnt a lot about how Facebook works and how to use the various tools on the platform to enhance an organisation’s capacity to communicate effectively, “I have learnt that it is also possible to report cases of abuse to Facebook who can then either discipline abusive Facebook users or caution users who are attacking others on the Facebook platform.”
“I also learnt about the various levels of security measures available for users to protect themselves from cyber bullying”. Mr. Phiri said.
And Social Media Assistant Ms. Brenda Zulu said that she was impressed with the new projects Facebook is exploring such as the provision of internet services to remote locations with the use of unmanned aircrafts or drones.
“I’m interested in the use of drones and would like the Commission to consider the use of drones in the conduct of elections so I liked hearing how Facebook is trying to use drones to provide internet connection services to remote communities across the world and specifically in Ghana, West Africa” said Mrs. Zulu.
Ms. Emilar Ghandi said that Facebook partners with Electoral Management Bodies when requested to publish messages on the conduct of elections to communities of users in countries where elections were being held.
The one-day workshop provided an opportunity for Commission staff to network with Facebook and other organisations working in the area of Information Communication Technologies in Zambia.
Facebook is a popular internet Social Networking platform with its headquarters in California USA and a user base of 2 billion subscribers from across the world.
The Commission broadcasts messages on the Commission’s operations to the public through its Facebook page. The ECZ Facebook page can be found on www.facebook.com/electoralcommissionofzambia.
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For this and more stories read the ECZ Monthly of October, 2017