Social Media Legislation to be passed to hold fake account users accountable

In PNG the process involved in holding accountable fake account users on Facebook will remain a challenge.

The policy maker Department of ICT through the Digital Government Act, 2022, the National Censorship Office (Morality Regulator), and even the National Information and Communication Technology Authority (NICTA) does not have laws in place to deter. 

The Deputy Chairman of the Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Communication, Sam Basil Jr has raised points concerning National Censorship's role in filtering and deterring fake accounts users on Facebook as well as other Artificial Intelligence generated articles and films that spread waves of defamatory info on government or individuals.

Chief Censor Jim Abani said the National Censorship Act 1956 was developed before the introduction of smartphones and other digital technologies into the country but they can effectively act to filter films and publications contradicting to high moral standards of humanity.

Mr. Abani said the law is specifically drafted on moral principles and their role now is informing the public on the moral values.

“Any publication or film must promote good moral and ethical values that will promote peace and stability in homes, societies, and the nation as a whole and the media will play a very significant role in promoting morality,” Mr. Abani said. 

Mr. Abani added that the Censorship policy calls for partnership with other state agencies including the Department of ICT and NICTA so that it can be addressed.

“We have established partnership so they will assist us in some areas we fall while we are in the process of amending our legislation,” Abani said.

Meanwhile, the Secretary for the Department of ICT Steven Matainaho added that tracking down fake account users is quite challenging.

He said the Dept. of ICT adopted the Indian Model to address but, it also requires new legislation because under Digital Government Act 2022 does not give them the power to perform this function.

“The idea is to find out who is behind disseminating the information. For that to happen, we need to have some kind of social media legislation.

“Under our Digital Government Act (2022) is currently focused on fake government accounts only, for when we see it's fake, we direct Communication with Meta to build a backhand platform fast to login directly and report on any account that is fake, and they take it down within the hour.

“But for regular citizens, it requires a mutual assistance arrangement between PNG and the US government.

“The Department of Justice and Attorney General will write to the counterpart in the US and require Facebook to compel them to provide data. On our track record right now is that it's not working", he added.