Metro

Kenyan right groups slam Facebook for attempting to ‘gag’ whistleblower

Published

2 years ago

July 21, 2022

Kenyan rights groups have lashed out at social media giant, Meta, owners of Facebook, over attempts to silence one of its content moderators turned whistleblower, Daniel Motaung, after the South African sued the company alongside its main subcontractor for content moderation in Africa, Sama, over claims of union busting and exploitation.

Motaung had accused Meta and Facebook of shortchanging its content moderators in Kenya by paying them paltry sums of $2.20 (£1.80) per hour to review posts including beheadings and child abuse. He also sued both firms in a Kenyan court.

In a letter to the Chief Executive Officer of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, the group, made up of over 80 organisations and individuals including Frances Haugen, a whistleblower and former Meta executive, demanded that the social media giant and Sama stop its present efforts to have a Kenyan court issue a gag order on Motaung.

The groups’ grouse came following a hearing in June where Meta asked the court to stop Motaung from talking to the media and in public, saying it risked prejudicing court proceedings.

The plea was rejected by the lower court but however allowed Meta’s lawyers to raise contempt of court proceedings if they had any evidence of the same infraction in future against Motaung.

In the letter forwarded to Zuckerberg on Thursday, the rights groups and campaigners called on Facebook to “drop all attempts to silence whistleblower Daniel Motaung.”

They also accuse the tech giant of trying to “crush his (Motaung’s) efforts to improve labour conditions for Facebook moderators in Kenya and around the world.”

Related Topics:Content Moderator Facebook Featured Whistleblower

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Metro

World Bank pledges $3b to support Zambia’s development goals

Published

15 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The World Bank Group has pledged to avail Zambia with approximately $3 billion to support the country’s development goals under the new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for 2025-2029, with nearly half of the funds already disbursed.

World Bank Country Manager, Achim Fock, who made this known at the CPF launch at the Mulungushi Conference Centre in Lusaka on Wednesday, outlined the global lender’s focus areas, which included enhancing jobs, human capital, and climate resilience.

Fock highlighted that $200 million had been approved to strengthen Zambia’s social protection programs, including the Refugee and Host Community Project.

He also expressed optimism for upcoming approvals, including the Climate and Economic Resilience Financing and the Zambia-Tanzania Interconnector.

Zambia’s Finance and National Planning Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane, who also spoke at the event, noted that 2.3 million Zambian households have so far benefited from social protection interventions such as the Cash for Work Programme, emphasizing the government’s commitment to safeguarding lives amid crises like the recent drought.

Musokotwane further reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting lives during times of crises such as the recent drought.

“More than two thirds of the Zambian population was affected by the drought. It was the government’s view that the first priority was to save lives,” Musokotwane stated.

Metro

Chinese mining giant CNMC set for $1.6 billion investment in Zambia

Published

2 days ago

November 13, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A Chinese mining giant, China Nonferrous Metal Mining Company (CNMC), has announced the investment of over $1.6 billion in Zambia, following successful discussions with President Hakainde Hichilema at the State House on Tuesday.

CNMC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Wen Gang, who held the discussions with Hichilema along with the Chinese Ambassador to Zambia, Han Jing, confirmed the company’s commitment to furthering Zambia’s economic development.

“We are actively investing in critical sectors of Zambia’s economy,” Gang said after the meeting.

He noted that CNMC was currently pumping water from Shaft 28 at Luanshya Copper Mine, where 29.9 million cubic liters have been cleared as part of intensified dewatering efforts, adding that the company plans to inject an additional $200 million to develop a greenfield mine on the Copperbelt.

President Hichilema who welcomed CNMC’s commitment, highlighted the potential economic impact of the firm’s investment which will include job opportunities for Zambians.

“This $1.6billion investment, alongside advanced technology and expansion, will extend operations and create more jobs and opportunities for Zambians, especially in mining contracting and supply,” the President said.

He also expressed gratitude to Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Chinese government for their shared commitment to fostering growth and cooperation between the two countries.