By Meleasie Goviro – EMTV News, Port Moresby
Communications Minister Sam Basil has responded to an article in yesterday’s (May 29) Post Courier suggesting the government was banning Facebook in PNG for a month.
Minister Basil told EMTV the article was ‘misreported’. He explained that the government was only “considering” the prospect of shutting down Facebook, once cabinet approves.
He says the government planned to impose the ban during the SIM card registration period, to put a plug on fake accounts and other cyber-crime activities; until the SIM card registration is complete. The Minister’s office stated that once SIM cards are registered, it will be easy to monitor and cyber-crime activities online.
Whilst acknowledging that Facebook is an enabler of democracy, Basil says this move is not to deprive the right of users but ensure standards are complied with.
Minster Basil will be releasing an official statement today (May 30) expanding on the proposed ban on Facebook in the country.
