Papua New Guinea Blocks Facebook to Fight Fake News and P0rn!
Papua New Guinea has blocked access to Facebook, which officials call a “test” to help reduce hate speech, misinformation, and pornography. The ban began on Monday and has faced backlash from opposition members and critics, who say it violates human rights.
Police Minister Peter Tsiamalili Jr defended the ban, stating that the government is not trying to limit free speech but has a duty to protect citizens from harmful content.
Facebook is the most popular social media platform in the country, with about 1.3 million users, including many small businesses that rely on it for sales. Social media has also played a key role in public discussions, especially as press freedom declines.
Neville Choi, head of Papua New Guinea’s media council, criticized the ban, calling it a move toward political control and an abuse of rights. He noted that two government agencies responsible for communication and technology were unaware of the plans, despite police claims of collaboration.
Opposition MP Allan Bird expressed concerns on Facebook, stating, “We are now heading into dangerous territory, and everyone is powerless to stop this tyranny.” The ban follows new counter-terrorism laws that give the government more power to monitor and restrict online communications.
According to a report by BBC, many users in Papua New Guinea are using VPNs to access Facebook despite the ban. John Pora, head of the Small and Medium Enterprises Corporation, is concerned about businesses that rely on the platform and hopes it will return soon.
This isn’t the first time the government has acted against Facebook. In 2018, they briefly banned it to remove fake profiles. This year, they also started an inquiry into “fake news” and social media.
