Mozambique: Police officers restricted in social media clamp down

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Mozambique: Police officers restricted in social media clamp down

1:36 CAT | 31 Aug 2023

FILE - For illustration purposes only. [File photo: Lusa]

The command of the Mozambique Police has banned officers from posting photos and videos of “fake news” on social media, from events in the police force, showing uniforms and weapons and liaising with strangers.

The measures are set out in the document “Restrictions on the virtual posture of police officers” from the Directorate of Doctrine and Police Ethics of the General Command of that force, released today to police officers, in which it is justified by the “recurrent cases of publication” of images of police members, “some of them in uniform and in poses that indicate libertinism, as well as the dissemination of purely police information, through digital platforms (WhatsApp, TikTok, Facebook and others), which can have adverse effects, not only on the officer, but also on the institutional image”.

The document, consulted by Lusa, added that it was necessary to “regulate the virtual posture of police officers, as a state official, governed by the Code of Conduct for State Officials and Agents and the police Disciplinary Regulations”, who should “be guided by exemplary behaviour compatible with public morality, as well as by a posture and attitude that contribute to promoting the image of the public administration in general and the police in particular”.

Among the 14 restrictions defined are “unnecessary exposure, jeopardising personality and personal and professional suitability”, “posting photographs and videos while in uniform, performing erotic dances or in sensual poses,” or “events directly or indirectly related to the police”.

Also prohibited is the “publication of photos showing police weapons, coats of arms, uniforms, vehicles or protective equipment”, the “dissemination of operational information”, the “making of party-political and derogatory statements about public bodies, authorities and other state figures” and the “publication and sharing of unconfirmed or false news”.

Likewise the “sharing of content that incites any kind of violence, conflict or that could denigrate the image of anyone or any institution”, “venting and attacking family members, friends, acquaintances, colleagues, personalities or individuals whose image needs to be safeguarded”, the “publication or sharing of videos, audios, photographs that offend against the privacy and dignity of people involved in police or justice administration contexts, as well as the “use of expressions that may incite discord, verbal aggression or other types of violence”.

Through their social media accounts, police officers are also prohibited from “sharing violent or obscene episodes” relating to or “exchanging information” with people “of whom they have little knowledge” or sharing “information of dubious and/or prejudiced origin”.

READ: Mozambican police imposes list of prohibitions on officers using social media

Source: Lusa