SYDNEY (AUSTRALIA) – The Solomon Islands is contemplating a ban on Facebook for an indefinite period, reported the Solomon Times. This comes after it carried an inflammatory critique of the government on its platform.
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said a formal statement in this regard would be issued on Tuesday.
Once the ban comes into effect, the Solomon Islands will join the band of nations comprising Iran, China and North Korea to restrict the biggest social media platform in the world.
A spokesperson for the social media firm said they were in touch with the government to discuss the issue.
“This move will impact thousands of people in the Solomon Islands who use our services to connect and engage in important discussions across the Pacific,” said the spokesperson.
The government has come under fire on social media platforms over the distribution of stimulus funds and its decision to ditch Taiwan and edge closer to China.
The most vocal supporter of the ban is Minister of Communication, Peter Shanel Agovaka, said the newspaper report. He has blamed the platform for featuring “abusive language” and engaging in “character assassination” of government ministers, including the prime minister, for the decision to ban Facebook.
The Solomon Islands has a population of 650,000 and the social media platform is hugely popular there. Even the government resorts to Facebook to broadcast speeches by the prime minister and spread information on health in the wake of the pandemic.
Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Matthew Wale said he would oppose the ban. “Politicians are always worried about people having access to information and being able to freely express their views – that really cannot be grounds for proposing a ban,” he said.