The government of Papua New Guinea (PNG) has imposed a temporary ban on Facebook, citing concerns over hate speech, misinformation, pornography, and other harmful content. Officials describe the move as a “test” under the country’s anti-terrorism laws to assess the platform’s impact on society.
The Facebook shutdown began on Monday morning and has continued into Tuesday, leaving users unable to access the platform. However, the government has not provided a timeline for when the restrictions will be lifted.
This unannounced move has sparked backlash from opposition politicians and media leaders, who have condemned it as an attack on free speech and human rights. Critics argue that the government’s actions set a dangerous precedent for digital censorship.
According to PNG’s Police Minister, Peter Tsiamalili, the ban aims to promote responsible social media use and protect citizens from the negative effects of fake news, online abuse, and explicit content.
“The unchecked spread of fake news, hate speech, pornography, child exploitation, and incitement to violence on platforms like Facebook is unacceptable. These challenges increasingly threaten the safety, dignity, and well-being of our people,” Tsiamalili stated.
Facebook is PNG’s most widely used social media platform, with approximately 1.3 million users, accounting for nearly half of the country’s internet-connected population. In contrast, Instagram has only 106,000 users, making Facebook the primary online space for political discussions and social discourse.
The PNG government has frequently criticized Facebook for enabling the rapid spread of misinformation, particularly in the wake of recent tribal conflicts. However, this latest restriction has raised concerns about digital rights, government overreach, and the future of online freedom in the country.