Papua New Guinea has blocked Facebook in a "test" to limit hate speech, misinformation, and pornography. The ban started on Monday. As a result, opposition leaders and activists have strongly criticized the decision, calling it a human rights violation.

Government’s Explanation

To justify the move, Police Minister Peter Tsiamalili Jr stated that the government is not limiting free speech. Instead, he emphasized that authorities must "protect citizens from harmful content."

Moreover, Facebook is the most popular social media platform in Papua New Guinea, with about 1.3 million users. Many small businesses depend on it for sales. In addition, social media plays a key role in public discussions, especially as press freedom continues to decline.

Strong Criticism

However, the ban has sparked intense backlash. Neville Choi, president of Papua New Guinea’s media council, argued that the move "borders on political autocracy and an abuse of human rights."

Even more concerning, two major government agencies responsible for communication and technology claimed they were unaware of the decision. Nevertheless, the police insist they coordinated the "test" with these agencies.

Furthermore, opposition MP Allan Bird condemned the action. "We are now heading into dangerous territory, and everyone is powerless to stop this tyranny," he wrote on Facebook.

Link to New Laws and Business Struggles

Significantly, this move follows the passage of new counter-terrorism laws just months ago. These laws grant the government power to monitor and restrict online communication. According to Bird, the laws are "draconian" and designed to "take away our freedoms." He also warned that blocking Facebook is "just step one."

Despite the ban, many users continue to access Facebook using virtual private networks (VPNs).

At the same time, business owners are deeply concerned. John Pora, head of the Small and Medium Enterprises Corporation, highlighted the impact on retailers. "We have a couple of hundred thousand people in the informal sector, and they'll be feeling uncertain," he said. Therefore, he hopes Facebook will return soon so businesses can continue selling.

Past Efforts to Restrict Facebook

Importantly, this is not the first time Papua New Guinea has taken action against Facebook. In 2018, the government banned the platform for a month to remove fake accounts. At that time, officials even considered launching a state-controlled alternative.

Additionally, in 2023, the government initiated a parliamentary inquiry into "fake news, bad news reporting, and social media [platforms]" in the country.

For now, the government insists this ban is only temporary. However, critics fear it could lead to stricter internet restrictions in the future.