João Lourenço highlighted the importance of broadband networks, but warns that the Internet and social networks must be used above all for “academic, cultural and professional improvement”.
The Angolan President warned on Monday about the “perverse purposes” of the internet, appealing to young people to avoid spreading rumors and lies and to parties to refrain from using them against political opponents and against the homeland.
João Lourenço, who was speaking at the opening of Angotic, the International Forum of Information and Communication Technologies, introduced a political aspect in his speech on technologies, pointing out the good and bad uses of digital platforms, which can be used to incite riots and coups.
Regarding digital platforms, “an important work and communication tool”, João Lourenço considered that they can also be used for evil and criminal purposes, to denigrate people or institutionsas well as organized crime and the organization of riots, rebellions and coups d’état.
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“The problem is not digital technologies and platforms, but the good or bad use that users give them, who must be educated from a young age that a tool made to produce wealth and knowledge can serve to destroy, divide, sow discord and create chaos. ,” he warned.
The Angolan chief executive made recommendations on the use of the internet and social networks that should be used above all for “academic, cultural and professional improvement” or for business promotion.
He also referred to young people, stressing that the Angolan executive works for their “moral and civic education” and for the “defense of the noblest values of Christian culture and civilization”, respect for the family and neighbor, for the child and to the elderly. , national and patriotic symbols.
“We therefore call on our young people not to waste their precious time with negative things like rumor spreading, intentionally fabricated lies, political bigotry and hate“, he urged.
He also left warnings to political parties to “refrain from radicalizing young people, using them as weapons to throw against their political adversaries and, much less, against the homeland.” João Lourenço highlighted the importance of broadband networks, a fundamental tool to guarantee citizen access to the information society, and highlighted the need for the internet to be available to the majority of citizens.
In Angola, he continued, the telecommunications sector continues to grow. The launch of the Angosat II satellite, the terrestrial and submarine fiber optic connections to Cabinda, the construction of an earth observation satellite, the expansion of fiber optic broadband and participation in the international fiber optic consortium submarine “2 Africa” were some of the examples he gave.
In addition, between 2021 and the first quarter of 2023, there was a 55% growth in the mobile telephony service, currently with a penetration rate of 71%, while the growth rate of internet access was around 20%.
Angotic returned this Monday for its 3rd edition after a three-year interruption due to the pandemic.
Source: Observadora
