Blocking social media will create more chaos – Security expert

daniel russell

May 27, 2016 9:32 AM

His comment came on the back of a statement from the Ghana Police Service that it is considering closing down social media services during the November 7 general elections

Inspector General of Police, John Kudalor

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His comment came on the back of a statement from the Ghana Police Service that it is considering closing down social media services during the November 7 general elections because the platform 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… We are also thinking about the other alternative that the police should be IT compliant and get our own social media [account] to be able to stop these things on time,” Inspector General of Police, John Kudalor, told the media, Thursday.

However, the thought, according to Mr Kutin is not an option since it will only lead to chaos.

“From the intelligence point of view, I think it was wrong for the IGP to even mention it in a media briefing because it seeks to create unnecessary tension, accusations and counter accusations,” he said on Neat FM’s Ghana Monntie, Friday.

Mr Kutin intimated that the police does not have the right to take that decision unless it is backed by the courts.

“Granted that that was an option, I don’t think the law even mandates the police to go to that extent giving that Ghana is in a constitutional democracy. Before they even take that step, they probably need to go to the law court to get the order and there must be credible evidence to show that,” he noted.

“Moving forward, we as Ghanaians should be happy that these things are coming up now. Don’t let us dwell on the negatives of it. It has brought up an issue, let us have a dispassionate discourse and it will help our democracy. But to block social media before and during election is not an option. I think it will rather create more chaos than resolving the problem the IGP is advocating for,” Mr Kutin added.

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