“I will like to reemphasize that social media will not be banned at any time not even on election day,” he said at the Meet The Press section held at the Information Ministry today [Tuesday].

We’ll shut down social media if…

The Police administration had stated that it was considering shutting down social media services in the country on election day as the abuse of social media platforms by both political parties and ordinary Ghanaians has often created unnecessary tension in the country.

The Inspector General Police (IGP), John Kudalor who made the annoucement, believed that given the strain that preparations towards the elections have put on the country’s security apparatus, it would be unwise to ignore the potential of social media as an incendiary point for violence.

“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 at the time.

Social media shutdown a threat to democracy

The IGP’s comments generated widespread criticism from the general public who felt such an action would represent suppression of freedom of speech.

Several bodies including the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD), the Alliance for Accountable Governance, BloggingGhana, and PenPlusBytes criticized the Police Chief’s words describing the idea as ‘undemocratic.

The United Nations also waded into the debate, stating that it would be opposed to any move to block social media services in the country.

The special representative of the United Nations (UN) Secretary General for West Africa and the Sahel, Mohammed Ibn Chambas said: “I should say without hesitation that from a UN point of view, we would be obviously averse to any steps that will amount to restricting the democratic space, particularly any steps that will be taken to restrict the freedom of expression.”

No social media black out

The Communications Director of the Police, Supt. Cephas Arthur, had earlier clarified the service’s position on the controversial consideration to ban social media.

According to him, the ban was only one of the alternatives under consideration, but the Police will not shutdown social media on election day.

He assured Ghanaians the IGP’s comments were on the spur of the moment and a social media ban was not being considered

“The IGP used the word alternatives but it looks as if nobody heard the other alternatives that he mentioned because nobody is discussing that. This was not part of his speech. It was a kind of off the top of his head answer. Let us not be alarmed. The IGP is not about to block social media on election day and we are going to have our social media,” Cephas Arthur said.

–

By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Social media won’t be banned – Prosper Bani appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to the police, the practice were some unknown persons circulate unconfirmed reports on disasters creates fear and panic among the public.

Its caution follows a widely circulated message on Friday evening claiming that a gas tanker had overturned on the N1 Highway in Accra, posing a serious threat to motorists and residents.

But in a Citi News interview, the Director of Public Affairs of the Ghana Police Service, Superintendent Cephas Arthur said, “I have made my checks so far and there is nothing that indicates that the piece of information is true.”

He thus proceeded to warn members of the public “who have the penchant for sending such pieces of alarming messages” to stop.

“The police will not spare anybody who is found sending a piece of alarm across because it is a criminal offense… If anybody is caught circulating any alarming information that the person knows is not true, and that is tantamount to causing fear and alarm, the person will be dealt with accordingly,” Superintendent Arthur stated.

Attempted ban on social media

The Police Service as already expressed its apprehension with the role social media could play in escalating tensions ahead of the 2016 general elections.

The Service bore the brunt of public criticism when the Inspector General of Police (IGP) John Kudalor, indicated his outfit was considering a shut down on social media activities due to perceived tension it could create on the day of the polls.

A number of civil society organisations kicked against any possible ban saying it would be an affront to the constitutional rights of citizen.

The police has since said it was only considering a social media blackout as a last resort as part of security measures ahead of the elections

–

By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Police warns against spreading ‘fear and alarm’ with fictitious alerts appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.