In a “test” to restrict hate speech, propaganda, and sex, the government of Papua New Guinea has blocked exposure to Facebook.
Opposition MPs and political opponents criticized the immediate restrictions, which first came into effect on Monday, calling it a human rights violation.
Police Minister Peter Tsiamalili Jr., who denies the walk, said the state has the “responsibility to protect people from dangerous content” and that it is not trying to stop free speech.
With 1.3 million people, according to estimates, Social is the most widely used social media platform in Papua New Guinea, home to numerous small businesses that rely on it for business.
In a state with declining press freedom, social media has also been effective at fostering common conversation.
The shift “borders on social monarchy, and an abuse of human rights,” according to Neville Choi, chairman of Papua New Guinea’s internet government.
More concerning was the fact that, despite the officers claiming that the “test” was conducted in partnership with these agencies, at least two federal agencies that control communication and technology claimed they were aware of the government’s plans.
Allan Bird, an opposition MP, wrote on Instagram that” we are now entering dangerous country and everyone is useless to put an end to this tyranny.”
The ban on Monday comes months after the new counter-terrorism rules, which, among other things, give the government authority to monitor and restrict online contacts.
Bird wrote,” It is draconian law designed to take away our freedoms,” adding that Facebook’s blocking was” just step one.”
Some people have still been able to access Twitter using VPNs, or virtual private networks, despite the ban.
The thousands of retailers who make a living off of Twitter are more important to John Pora, the SME chair.
” We have a couple of hundred thousand people in the informal sector, and they’ll become feeling uncertain, so I’m hoping the systems come back online shortly to allow them to trade,” he said.
Papua New Guinea authorities have long threatened to make a move against Facebook. In 2018, the country banned the platform for a month while authorities attempted to root out fake profiles. At the time, authorities mooted the idea of a state-run alternative.
In the country, a parliamentary investigation into “fake media, bad news reporting, and social media platforms ] was launched in 2023.