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Ghanaians criticise proposed ban on social media on election day
The IGP on Friday at a presser said the police is considering banning social media on election day because it is a potential tool for fomenting violence based on the irresponsible use by political parties and a section of the public.
The IGP on Friday at a presser said the police is considering banning social media on election day because it is a potential tool for fomenting violence based on the irresponsible use by political parties and a section of the public.
“At one stage I said that if it becomes critical on the eve and also on the election day, we shall block all social media as other countries have done. We’re thinking about it,” John Kudalor said.
The IGP in his comments cited Uganda’s ban of social media on election day to back his claims.
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However, many were particularly shocked that the IGP measured Ghana against Uganda, a country that stifles press freedom and coerce opposition forces.
Pulse.com.gh sort the opinions of some Ghanaians on Twitter and they were blunt in their disagreement with the IGP.
“I think the IGP should get back to reality. 2012 [elections], social media existed yet nothing happened,” Kwame Boamah.
Gifty Oware wondered why the IGP sees social media as a threat to national security, considering all the crimes and problem confronting the nations. “It's unfortunate that aside all the crimes and problems we have as a nation, an IGP see social media as his threat to protecting the people of Ghana. Social media is a way of life and nobody can take this away from the people of Ghana,” Gifty said.
“How will social media affect this election if not positive? Who is he working for and why won't they want Ghanaians to produce the evidence of their votes been counted?” she asked rhetorically.
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Paa Kwasi asked the IGP to look at ways of harnessing the advantages of social media than ban it.
He said “It is mundane, despotic and a threat to the freedom we enjoy as a people.”
“Though it had it bad sides the IGP should not see only that side and go on with that ban. The IGP should show us how social media impacted negatively on the last election to convince us. Social media is here to stay and the Ghana Police Service get their act together, Kwasi added.
Edward Tagoe, who is among a group of Ghanaians using social media via Ghana Decides to facilitate election dialogue said IGP’s proposal is “unfortunate” and “ill-informed.”
He said:"It is unfortunate the Ghana Police is considering blocking social media on election day. It is obvious our security agencies are concerned about our safety and the sanity of the country before during and after election. I however think the current strategy they are considering is ill-informed. Social media is not any different from traffic or vehicles. The fact that vehicles kill people on the roads doesn't mean they should ban the use of vehicles during Christmas. In fact, I remember the same institution putting in extra efforts during the last yuletide to ensure the free flow of traffic in the city. I do not recall a total ban of traffic. The Ghana Police perhaps should look at social media with the same pair of lenses. It should consider unleashing its online expertise (assuming they have that) on election day to ensure person who abuse the rights of others are brought to book. And if this is beyond the Ghana Police, then we are in trouble!"
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CEO of Pop Out Ghana, Maximus Ametorgoh told Pulse.com.gh on Thursday that the IGP’s proposal was illegal and inefficient way of policing public commentary on November 7.
The IT Consultant who was disappointed in the idea by the police, said it is a lazy way of trying to forestall any kind of misinformation on the day.
“The idea should not be entertained. It doesn’t help our democratic credentials. How will people express their views about what is going on that day,” he asked.
He added that “There are already laws policing the publication of false information in the public domain, including social media. You can be prosecuted,” he said.
Maximus believes the police must rather build capacity to enforce those laws instead of taking a unilateral decision to ban social media use.
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“They should rather work to enforce those laws, rather than decide to shutdown social media use.”
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