ONLINE Safety Commissioner Filipe Batiwale has urged members of the public to exercise their right to free speech with “extreme caution” when discussing serious allegations online.
Responding to questions on the online allegations and public discourse against senior members of the Fiji Police Force by social media user Alex Forwood, he said people were entitled to raise concerns and discuss matters of public interest.
However, he said such discussions needed to be based on verified information and should not cause unnecessary harm to others.
“The challenge is ensuring that such discussions occur responsibly, lawfully, and without causing unnecessary harm to others,” Mr Batiwale said.
“Many individuals wrongly assume that simply repeating allegations made by another person shields them from accountability. That is not necessarily the case.”
Mr Batiwale has encouraged members of the public to use proper reporting pathways where allegations involved possible criminal offending, misconduct, corruption or threats to public safety.
He said serious allegations should be assessed through evidence-based investigative processes, rather than being decided through online outrage or viral commentary.
“In relation to the commission’s powers, matters are generally assessed through complaints received by affected individuals.
“Where appropriate, the commission may also work alongside law enforcement agencies and relevant authorities in addressing harmful online conduct.”
Mr Batiwale said because of longstanding policy and confidentiality obligations, the commission did not comment publicly on whether complaints involving identifiable individuals had or had not been received.
“The Online Safety Commission will continue to promote responsible online behaviour and remind the public that digital platforms carry real-world consequences.”
Batiwale warns against ‘trial by social media’
PUBLIC trust in institutions such as the Fiji Police Force are central to democracy and should not be eroded through “trial by social media”.
Online Safety Commissioner Filipe Batiwale said this as Australian social media user Alex Forwood continues to hurl unsubstantiated accusations against members of the public, including Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu.
“The Online Safety Commission is aware of the recent online discourse involving serious allegations being circulated on social media against public officials and institutions,” Mr Batiwale said.
“We are closely observing the broader online environment and the manner in which these discussions are being amplified across digital platforms.”
Mr Batiwale said the commission did not determine whether allegations being made online were true or false.
“That is a matter for lawful investigative processes, competent authorities, and ultimately the courts.”
However, he said freedom of expression did not provide immunity from accountability where online content caused harm, spread misinformation, incited hostility, or unfairly damaged individuals and institutions.
“Social media is not a lawless space.
“Under Fiji’s online safety framework, concerns arise where online conduct escalates into harmful electronic communications, cyberbullying, harassment, intimidation, or the reckless dissemination of serious unverified allegations capable of causing significant reputational and emotional harm.”
Mr Batiwale said the commission was particularly concerned where online narratives risked undermining public confidence in important institutions or inflaming hostility before facts were properly tested through lawful processes.
Questions have also been sent to Mr Tudravu regarding the allegations made online, including whether he believes they are false and whether any official action would be taken.
