Thursday 28th March, 2025
Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Communications, Hon. Marsh Narewec has assured the country that democracy remains vibrant and strong. This was after the Committee issued a 24 hours summons to the Commissioner of Police, the CEO of NICTA and the Secretary for DICT to explain on the recent block on Facebook and the operation under the Counter Terrorism Act 2024.
“The Committee was concerned about the lack of coordination among these agencies on the recent block on Facebook in the country,” says Chairman Hon. March Narewec.
“Anonymous users on Facebook were inciting threats and violence that triggered the police to invoke section 16 of the Counter Terrorism Act, the undertaking was lawful under the Counter – Terrorism As 2024.”
Hon. March Narawec in his media statement stated the Committee also found that there is no regulation or standard operating procedure to execute the new Counter – Terrorism Act.
“Because there was no regulation or standard operating procedure the NICTA CEO and ICT Minister were not aware of the shut down.”
“Police Commissioner was also under no obligation under the CTA to inform NICTA or DICT.”
The Committee found that the block on Facebook was a temporary restriction on mobile operators rather than a complete ban and there was no sophisticated technology used but a direction using the CTA by COP to mobile service providers to temporarily shut down Facebook on their network.
He reiterated that the Committee does not support any form of social media ban and is committed to finding effective regulatory solutions that uphold free speech while maintaining security and order.
Chairman Hon. Marsh Narewec reiterated that the Committee will continue to oversee the actions of line agencies, including the Police Cyber Crime Unit, NICTA, and DICT, to ensure that enforcement of relevant laws aligns with public interest.