Papua New Guinea’s government has shut down social media platform Facebook, in what it describes as a “test” to mitigate hate speech, misinformation, pornography and “other detrimental content”.
The test, conducted under the country’s anti-terrorism laws, began on Monday morning and has extended into Tuesday.
Facebook users in the country have been unable to log-in to the platform and it is unclear how long the ban will go on for.
The government’s move was not flagged ahead of the “test” on Monday — a move opposition MPs and media leaders have described as “tyranny” and an “abuse of human rights”.
Facebook is by far the most popular social media platform in the country, with an estimated 1.3 million users, or about half of the country’s estimated 2.6 million internet users.
The platform is a critical tool for public discourse in the country, with many highly active forums used to discuss PNG politics and social issues.
Yet, the government has been highly critical of Facebook with the platform often blamed for helping spread misinformation, particularly in light of a recent spate of tribal killings in the country.
The platform is a critical tool for public discourse in the country, with many highly active forums used to discuss PNG politics and social issues.
There is your fucking problem. Stop fucking centralizing an entire countries discourse to a corporate propaganda platform.
Right???
I remember as kid I thought adults could be looked up to and had wisdom.
Misinformation and hate speech on Facebook, sure, but pornography?
It’s pornography speech.
Normally, I see any news on government blocking social media for any stated reasons as typically a cover for censorship. But with how Facebook and other social media morphed into something else, I could not care less if they are blocked.
I want to celebrate this, but it’s hard not to see it as an attempt at authoritarianism. I think the right way to do a Facebook ban is to ensure people have access to a good alternative (like Mastodon) before pulling the plug.
This absolutely is censorship. Correct way to handle this would be to create laws and prosecute Facebook for not following them.
All of these comments are justifying autocracy because it’s their flavor of autocracy smh
To shut down pornography they might have to block 1 or 2 more websites … at least.
Just a small handful, no big deal.
Oh, snap! You just Papua’d his New Guinea with that dick joke.
As long as it only occupies one hand then fine.
I mean…I need 2 hands. It’s a handful. It’s 2 handfuls! It’s a lot to go around!
…ladies.
Do people use Facebook for porn? Like, on their personal accounts? That’s weird.
i don’t know, only went with what the title says
What porn? Girls in bikinis?
Yeah I’m not sure Facebook is what I’d be worried about for porn.
This just reeks of control.
There’s pornography on Facebook! That’s disgusting! Someone let me know where so I can be sure to avoid it…
Two out three ain’t bad. Go for it.
The shut down Facebook? All of it?
Or did they simply block it in their country?
What, you expect journalists to use the correct words to unambiguously convey a concept?
Everyone should kill their accounts and connection to the site.
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