Freedom Forum has warned that mobilizing security officials to regulate free speech on social media ahead of the 20 November election is a wrong decision that may suppress citizens’ rights.
This statement was originally published on freedomforum.org.np on 30 September 2022.
Freedom Forum is concerned over the Election Commission’s plan to monitor and regulate social media content by using officials from the Nepal Army and Nepal Police. Although the spread of misinformation is a serious problem during elections, the mobilization of security persons to regulate social media content is amisuse of power, which is likely to trample citizens’ free speech online.
Nepal is holding the elections for federal parliament and the provincial assembly on November 20.
According to news reports, the Commission is planning to form a monitoring mechanism involving the Nepal Police Cyber Bureau, the Nepal Army, the Advertisement Board, the Press Council of Nepal, the Nepal Telecommunication Authority, and computer operators. The team will be referred to as a ‘Press Office’ and will be responsible for monitoring Nepali media and the content of social media, as directed by the Election code of conduct.
The concept paper approved by the Commission on the Press Office provides it the right to delete any mis/disinformation on digital media and to punish anyone who is allegedly found to be disseminating fake information on the basis of complaints.
Yet again, Freedom Forum reminds the Commission that the Press Council of Nepal is responsible for monitoring and regulate media content. As such, mobilizing security officials to regulate free speech on social media is the wrong decision that could lead to the suppression of citizens’ rights. Seeking consultation and expertise from diverse sectors is positive, but how transparently they will work is worth observing.
