[kictanet] Are we throwing the baby with the bath water?

[Brian Munyao Longwe]

+1 Ali,

As for Mr. Alai - if there are charges against him, then there is probably
also evidence against him as well. Let the courts settle the matter and
decide whether or not he has broken laws or infringed anyone's rights. Two
weeks ago I was the victim of vicious abuse from him on twitter when I
asked him a question about why he was mobilizing people to return their sim
cards to Safaricom. He might have a right to express himself, but not at
the expense of others' rights.

Mblayo

On Thu, Mar 28, 2013 at 8:27 AM, Ali Hussein <ali at hussein.me.ke> wrote:

> Listers
>
> Voltaire, the Famour French Historian and Philosopher once said
>
> "I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death
> your right to say it.<http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/v/voltaire109645.html>
> "
>
> I am writing this post due to the interesting times that we live in.
>  There is a lot of emotions, bigotry, outright tribalism and jingoism being
> bandied around the country in many channels - Online responses to media
> stories, FM Station talk shows, social media, work places, bars etc. Whilst
> I abore the very nature of some of the discussions we have fought too hard
> for freedom of expression and association to blanketly condemn everything
> whole sale.
>
> I have just read a story in today's nation titled *'14 Bloggers linked to
> hate messages'*.
>
>
> http://www.nation.co.ke/News/14-bloggers-linked-to-hate-messages/-/1056/1732288/-/cut5kvz/-/index.html
>
> The gist of the story is that the bloggers are using the anonymity of the
> internet to spread hate, tribalism etc.and they are being 'hunted down'
> like rabid dogs.  What  I found interesting is this particular paragraph:-
>
> *Mr Robert Alai, a well-known blogger was on Tuesday charged with posting
> “annoying” statements on social media sites, Twitter and Facebook.*
>
> For those of us who follow Robert on Social Media you may be forgiven if
> you think he is the 'Village Mad Man'. However he is a Kenyan and has a
> right to free speech. I do not excuse some of the stuff being posted online
> but I sincerely do hope that when one is being charged at our law courts
> the charge sheet does not say that he or she is charged in court for
> posting 'Annoying Statements'!!
>
> A few months ago Eric Hershman (whiteafrican.com) posted a blog defending
> Robert's right to his unique brand of 'journalism' and I am one of those
> who commented on the blog saying that one needs to take responsibility for
> his actions.
>
> http://whiteafrican.com/2012/08/22/kenyas-slippery-censorship-slope/
>
> Now I see where Eric was going... Oh the power of Retrospection.
>
> I urge the Powers That Be to delicately balance and be circumspect on how
> they use the tools of state lest we run rough shod on the very freedoms
> that allow us to freely comment, post online our opinions. As Voltaire said
> - I may not agree with what you say but I will defend to the death your
> right to say it.
>
> Let us all take a step back and ensure that we do not fall victim to the
> tyranny of the few who have decided to interpret for us what is good or bad
> for our beloved nation.
>
> *Ali Hussein*
>
> *CEO, 3mice interactive media ltd*
>
> *Partner, Telemedia Africa Ltd
> *
>
>
>
> Tel: +254713601113
>
> Twitter: @AliHKassim
>
> Skype: abu-jomo
>
> LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim<http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim>
>
> Blog: www.alyhussein.com
>
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