2 weeks Ago By Ben McKay
A month after Papua New Guinea's government shut down Facebook, questions still linger about why they did so, as well as what might come next. Login or signup to continue reading The much-used social media platform and messaging app, Messenger, was taken down in the Pacific nation over March 24 and March 25, with varying reasons offered by authorities. It is reportedly the first time in PNG's half-century history that a government has shut down any form of media.
Authorities first labelled the move a "test", while Prime Minister James Marape said it was justified on moral grounds such as the proliferation of pornography. Police Minister Peter Tsiamalili said the block made use of the Counter-Terrorism Act (CTA) passed in 2024, arguing it was needed due to fake news and hate speech, though denying it was an attack on free speech. Police Commissioner David Manning said the block was due to "ongoing efforts by criminals to incite violence", including terrorist actions, murder and ethnic clashes.
"This operation is all about savings lives, preventing the escalation of tribal conflicts and killing, and stopping incitement to damage to hospitals, schools and buildings," he said, in a much-derided statement. When restrictions were removed, Mr Manning claimed success in an anti-terror operation. "Taking immediate and decisive action in this instance has seen police identify the principal offenders, break apart this criminal network and protect innocent communities from the malicious intentions.
" Without evidence of arrests, and with such confused messaging, many Papua New Guineans aren't buying it. "It's scary," said Michael Kabuni, a PNG academic at the Australian National University. Mr Kabuni argues the shutdown is a manifestation of the broad powers the CTA afford authorities under the guide of maintaining order, several of which clash directly with the constitution.
"Perhaps the most insidious feature of the CTA is its broad definition of terrorism," he wrote for Benar News. "The definition encompasses acts intended to advance 'political, religious, or ideological causes' ..
. this process could be weaponized against political opponents, activists and civil society groups. "With the CTA in effect, protests could now be reclassified as terrorism, effectively criminalizing dissent while granting perpetrators - the task force or police - immunity from prosecution.
" Along with opposition politicians, the Media Council of Papua New Guinea has also voiced its concerns, particularly given the differing rationales between public figures and institutions. "For the government to proceed to conduct tests of new technology on its citizens without their knowledge borders on politically autocracy, and an abuse of human rights," council president Neville Choi said. News outlets were among those to suffer during the shutdown, legally unable to publish - though AAP has been told some used location-masking VPNs to continue publishing.
Days after the block, Mr Marape - perhaps after taking in heavy criticism - backed away from it. "Members of my government know well my strong views that Facebook allows business, commerce and education to run and its use must be protected by accountability," he said, as reported by newspaper The National. Mr Kabuni says one outcome of the block, unanticipated and perhaps unappreciated by the government, is fresh scrutiny.
"This draconian legislation, which had previously escaped widespread examination, is now facing rightful scrutiny and the shutdown has ignited debate over the unchecked powers granted under the CTA," he said. Australian Associated Press Daily Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update.
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