Papua New Guinea blocks access to Facebook to limit circulation of hate speech, misinformation

By  News On Air   Mar 26, 2025

Papua New Guinea has blocked access to Facebook in what authorities call a test to limit hate speech, misinformation, and pornography.

Papua New Guinea’s Police Minister, Peter Tsiamalili Jr., said the government is not trying to suppress free speech but has a responsibility to protect citizens from harmful content.

Meanwhile, the sudden ban, which started yesterday, has drawn criticism from opposition MPs and political critics, who called it a violation of human rights.

Facebook is the most popular social media platform in Papua New Guinea, with an estimated 1.3 million users, including many small businesses that rely on it for sales.