Papua New Guinea Facebook Ban: Small Pacific countries sparked up uproar by banning Facebook; This is why the government stands in amid major backlash
Government defends the ban
Papua New Guinea Police Minister Peter Tsiamalili said the closure ensured “responsible use” of social media, believing that platforms such as Facebook enable fake news, child exploitation and violence. But opposition leaders and media advocates lashed out the decision as “tyranny” and human rights violations. Opposition lawmaker Allan Bird warned that anti-terrorism laws granted officials unrestricted power, calling the move “harsh”. PNG Media Council Chairman Neville Choi accused the government of overrevealing politics, stressing that Facebook is an important forum for public debate.
Economic and regional impacts
The ban undermines PNG’s informal economy, and many small businesses rely on Facebook for sale. John Pora, head of small and medium-sized enterprise companies, noted that thousands of informal traders are now facing uncertainty. Meanwhile, PNG’s National ICT Authority claims this is not aware of the closure plan, which is inconsistent with the police minister’s claim to inter-agency coordination. The incident reflects the 2021 attempt by Solomon Islands to ban Facebook, which failed after public outcry.
FAQ:
Why is Papua New Guinea blocking Facebook?
The government claims it is a “test” to reduce hate speech and misinformation, but critics believe it will inhibit free expression.
How does this affect our readers?
It reflects the global challenge of balancing security online with free speech, a key issue in the US technology policy debate.
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