Think before you post, nation’s peace depends on it

TO everyone in this digital age where news breaks faster than a sneeze and opinions spread quicker than wildfire, it is high time we reminded ourselves that not everything you see on social media is gospel truth.

Especially now, as the general election mood begins to simmer, a simple tweet or Facebook post can cause unnecessary chaos, fear and even disrupt the fragile peace we hold dear.

Let us face it: our phones may be smart, but not every message that pops up on our screens is wise. Unfortunately, some people are misusing social media platforms, not to share cute cat videos or cooking hacks, but to fan flames of fear, push fake news and pretend they are spokespersons of doom.

They circulate rumours, unverified reports and alarmist claims, all without a shred of responsibility. It is like giving a toddler a megaphone in a library: noisy, disruptive and totally unnecessary.

Dear fellow Tanzanians, we must learn to separate fact from fiction. If there is a serious matter to be addressed, be assured that the government, through its official spokespersons and legally mandated institutions, will inform the public in a clear and structured way- not via some anonymous TikTok account or cryptic WhatsApp forward.

Let us not allow baseless rumours to hijack our national peace.

The police must continue playing their role, not only by taking tough measures against culprits who intentionally spread fear, but also by proactively educating the public on the importance of safeguarding peace.

Their message should be loud and clear: “Our job is not just to respond to chaos, but to prevent it.” And that starts by clamping down hard on social media fearmongers. But law enforcement can’t do it alone.

Faith leaders, simply from pulpits, mosques, temples and every sacred space in between, must continue to remind their followers that peace is not just a prayer point, but a shared responsibility.

Politicians, too, must rise above petty rivalries and set an example by promoting messages of unity, not division. Leadership is not about who can shout the loudest, but who can inspire the calmest. Let us also talk to our energetic youths, here the engine of our nation’s future.

Being young is no excuse to be reckless. Avoid being lured into unpatriotic and unnecessary demonstrations that threaten public order and the nation’s progress. Demonstrating for a selfie moment or a few likes online won’t build roads, create jobs, or put food on anyone’s table. What we need is patriotism, not provocation. Peaceful engagement, not street chaos. Constructive dialogue, not destructive drama.

In this pre-election period, let us be wise. Let us verify before we vilify, pause before we post, and think before we type. The digital world is powerful, but only when we use it responsibly.

So next time you feel tempted to hit “share” on that scary-sounding rumour, ask yourself: Is this helping the country, or hurting it? Spoiler alert: If it smells like fear, sounds like panic and looks like propaganda — it probably is. Let us keep the peace. And maybe, just maybe, save the drama for election day.