Social media sites will be suspended “until further notice,” Gabon’s media regulator said Tuesday, accusing online content of escalating strife and division in the nation.
According to Naija News, the High Authority for Communication made the announcement and mandated the immediate suspension of social media activities across the country.
Jean-Claude Mendome, the communications body’s spokesperson, said in a televised statement that the action was required because of the detrimental effects of content that was going viral online.
He said that “human dignity, public morality, the honor of citizens, social cohesion, the stability of the Republic’s institutions, and national security” had been threatened by “inappropriate, defamatory, hateful, and insulting content.”
The spokesperson also listed unapproved exposure of personal information, cyberbullying, and the dissemination of misleading material as further grounds for the action.
“In Gabon’s case, these actions are likely to cause social conflict, undermine the Republic’s institutions, and seriously jeopardize national unity, democratic progress, and accomplishments,” he continued.
However, the authority did not identify which specific social media sites will be prohibited.
The communications authorities insisted that Gabonese legislation still protects freedom of expression in spite of the suspension.
“Freedom of expression, including freedom of comment and criticism,” is still “a fundamental right enshrined in Gabon,” the statement claims.
As Gabon struggles with a surge of societal discontent, the decision was made less than a year after Brice Oligui Nguema was elected president, according to Naija News.
Protests have already extended to other public sectors, including as broadcasting, higher education, and health, after teachers launched a statewide strike in December over compensation and working conditions.
Concerns regarding stability and governance in the nation have been raised by the threats of industrial action made by civil servants in a number of sectors, according to AFP.
