[kictanet] Online Imposters

[Grace Githaiga]

Good morning Listers
Yesterday we had a stimulating debate on prosecuting hate speech online. Ali Hussein pointed out that what is wrong offline is also wrong online and gave the example of impersonation.
Today, we want to focus our attention on online imposters.
We have had
cases of imposters creating facebook and twitter accounts of known
personalities for example of the former government spokesperson Alfred Mutua,
Comedian Churchill aka Mwalimu King’gang’ and several politicians. The police
have also been impersonated on twitter. 
In such a case, where
is the place of ethics and personal values especially when impersonating other
people online? Is there a provision of personal values in our constitution or
in any or our legislation that can provide guidance on how to handle online imposters? How should such matters be dealt with? 
Lets hear it from you. This is the second last day to contribute as we will be winding up this debate tomorrow.
Have a wonderful day.RgdsGrace
From: ali at hussein.me.ke
Date: Wed, 17 Oct 2012 16:38:00 +0300
Subject: Re: [kictanet] [ISOC_KE] Prosecution of online hate speech
CC: kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
To: ggithaiga at hotmail.com

Alex and all
I always find that the simple rules of every day life if also followed on the Internet invariably works albeit with tweaks here and there. What is wrong offline is also wrong online. Impersonation whether off or online is still wrong. The principles of privacy and freedom of expression cuts both ways. 
I think sometimes we make it too complicated by thinking that the Internet is a unique place where people can get away with things that they probably wouldn't in the 'real' world. Once we accept that the Internet is just another medium which accelerates interaction and blurs community boundaries and accept that the basic tenets of good and bad still remain the same despite the hyper-connectivity enablement we will be the better for it.
Regards 
Ali HusseinCEO | 3mice interactive media LtdPrincipal | Telemedia Africa Ltd
+254 773/713 601113
Sent from my iPad
On Oct 17, 2012, at 4:15 PM, Barrack Otieno <otieno.barrack at gmail.com> wrote:
tions. 		 	   		  
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