Solomon Islands to ban Facebook over use of 'abusive language against ministers, PM'

Solomon Islands' cabinet on vember 17 anunced that it was going to ban  use of world’s biggest social networking site, Facebook across Pacific island nation to limit criticism of  federal government. According to sources of local brocaster Solomon Times, proposal for a temporary ban was presented before  Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and Communication and Civil Aviation Minister Peter Shanel Agovaka.

Minister Agovaka reportedly said that  ban will be imposed keeping in mind  controversial issues raised via Facebook in island nation against its ministers, Prime Minister that led to defamation of ir character. Furr, Agovaka cited Facebook's lack of stricter cybercrime legislation and regulation as reason to prohibit site for public use. proposal was pushed by cabinet for approval despite criticism from  international media rights groups and businesses that claimed that ban will have financial repercussions. 

Agovaka was quoted saying by Solomon Times that use of internet in Solomon Islands needed proper regulations to safeguard its population from exposure to harmful content.  government was still in discussion with operators to work out how this can be done, he said, ding, that operators must establish a firewall to block Facebook. According to a report by nation's analytics company NapoleonCat, re were at least 120,000 Facebook accounts operating in Soloman Islands. 

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Ban to impact micro-businesses

A spokesperson for Facebook reportedly said that Solomon Island government's decision to ban use of Facebook will impact thousands of people that are connected via Facebook and eng in important discussions across Pacific. Furr, spokesperson informed that website was in talks with  Solomons government to have it reconsider  decision. Meanwhile,  Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI), body that represents  private sector commercial services in nation condemned decision, saying, that move will tremendously impact micro-businesses, entrepreneurs, and island's informal sector that heavily relies on social media for marketing and vertising. It is government’s prerogative to make such a decision, but as a chamber, we believe that re are or pressing issues that require our collective focus, SICCI board chair Jay Bartlett said in a report by AUT's Pacific media Center. 

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(im Credit: Twitter/@Jnr_Muria)