Former finance minister and National Federation Party leader Professor Biman Prasad says he is not in favour of banning social media during election periods, but believes regulators should closely monitor online platforms to curb misinformation and harmful content.
Speaking on The Fiji Times online portal The Lens@177, Prof Prasad expressed concern about content circulating on some platforms, particularly TikTok, saying many users were using social media to spread abuse and personal attacks.
“People have said to me about TikTok because a lot of these people who make TikTok, all they do is put out this filth against politicians, against people, against others,” he said.
“They swear at each other. They swear at families. They have a family dispute and then somebody makes a TikTok.”
Despite those concerns, Prof Prasad maintained that mainstream media should continue operating freely throughout election periods.
“I think the mainstream media should be allowed to operate and correct some of these right up to election day.
“I don’t think mainstream media should be banned in covering anything to do with the election.”
Instead of imposing blanket restrictions, he suggested a greater role for the Online Safety Commission in monitoring online activity during critical periods.
“The Online Safety Commission ought to be more vigilant, look at what might happen close to election and these are somethings that they need to consider.”
Prof Prasad also raised concerns about the circulation of what he described as false information and confidential documents online, saying such issues highlighted the challenges posed by unregulated digital platforms.
