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{
    "id": 1474022,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1474022/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 228,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Yatta, WDM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Robert Basil",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me the Floor of the House. Allow me to thank the Chairman of the Select Committee on Parliamentary Broadcasting and Library for bringing this Motion. Truly, we are in the exponential age of technology. Today, everyone is on Instagram, X and many other platforms. Ideally, by having this Motion, it means the majority of our people will access information online. Very importantly, through this Motion, we will make ourselves more transparent and make people understand what Parliament does very well. This will enhance accountability because our people will access information online. Through online platforms, our people will connect very well with Parliament. As we speak, many of our people, particularly those who are not in the House and those who are unable to read or watch media, do not access what is being discussed in Parliament electronically. Enhancing online platforms will make sure that those people will access those reports and know what this august House is doing, the pertinent issues that are being discussed, and how they need to connect with that information. Some of the flaws that I have witnessed in this Motion include marginalising the rural people because most of them have limited access to the internet. Lack of reliable internet in rural areas will discriminate those people and make them unable to access online information as we intend or want them to do it. Another important element that we need to consider, which I find as a flaw in regard to this Motion, involves the people who are computer illiterate. We know we have a significant proportion of our people who are not computer savvy. They will not access the online information or reports that come from Parliament. This is a flaw or flip- side in this Motion. I am looking at the costs that will be involved when we are talking about upgrading our online infrastructure to be able to compete with the rest of the world. The cost involved is something to consider because, in principle, our economy is not performing well. I know the Government’s approach is the ‘bottom- up’, which has a very ambitious plan to connect most of our regions through the digital superhighway. This is something which we encourage. However, our concern is the cost involved and where we are in the performance of the economy. Otherwise, as a millennial and someone who fits well within the contemporary world of technology, I support the Motion. As I said, the world is moving to technology. We can all attest to this because most of the Members here have smartphones. I support the Motion. We have to consider the flaws that I have said, so that we do not discriminate people, contrary to Article 10 of the Constitution, which encourages inclusivity in governance and information sharing. With those few remarks, I support the Motion. Thank you."
}