Page 31 - IB March 2018 Edition

Opinion

Is regulation evident with hand held devices utilised ages an innovative but unrecognised
form of transparency and accountability.
through competitive mobile internet costs,
which has widened the scope for access. Of course the extent to which transpar-
the answer? Digital Deviance ency and accountability is seen may vary
but to think that with the help of a mere
online platform has enabled a concern, to
Since 2015, the Fiji Media Industry
Social media under Development Authority (MIDA) chair- elicit and compel clarification from a public
man, Ashwin Raj had alluded to concerns
office, is undoubtedly noteworthy. This
state scrutiny in Fiji around social media use and certain certainly fairs well for social accountabil-
account users expressing hate speech.
ity and ultimately in encouraging citizen
engagement and participation.
In the lead up to the recent AG’s confer-
ence, a series of alarmist and Islamphobic
content targeting the Muslim community Regulate or Educate?
emerged, which led to a member of parlia- A year after the 2014 national elec-
ment’s press statement. Aside from this, tions, the Fiji Media Industry Development
cases of online fraud, revenge porn and Authority (MIDA) chairman, Ashwin Raj
sexual conduct, shared online in recent prescribed an ‘epistemological’ approach
By Jope Tarai* months have become prominent cases towards social media. The exact details
of digital deviance. These cases indicate of what that meant has not necessarily
DISCUSSION around regulating cyber- the variety of issues which have emerged been clarified or explained since then.
space at Fiji Attorney General’s conference and haunt Fiji’s digital landscape. With- Now, during the general elections year, the
generates a few interesting questions and out a doubt these are serious concerns, calls for social media regulation marks a
reactions for public discussion. Police which warrant the need for appropriate sharp turning point and rather suspicious
Commissioner, Brigadier-General Sitiveni but prudent legislation. However, there is one for critics. A more nuanced consider-
Qiliho, was perhaps the clearest in his a need to recognise that a safe limit must ation of social media use and the public
sentiment stating, “To answer the question be respected to not constrain constructive interest is certainly needed. The lacking
of whether we should regulate cyberspace, digital discourse and healthy dissent. balance in the current discourse of cyber
the answer is a definite yes.” This senti- space regulation reveals a flaw, which
ment in amongst others is underpinned Digital Discourse and Dissent assumes the public are remotely aware
by a variety of what can be termed as In light of Fiji’s challenging political and of communications laws that underpin
cases of digital deviance that has recently media landscape, especially in the last these planned guidelines. The general
attained a significant level of notoriety and ten years, the digital sphere has become public has yet to fully understand libel,
attention. This has overshadowed healthy an outlet, a platform for opposing views. contempt of court, obscenity or harass-
digital discourse and dissent, which does While some of this discourse has not al- ment in the manner that the prevailing
exist in Fiji’s digital landscape. To an ex- ways been productive, it has nonetheless discourse already assumes it should. The
tent Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama’s been a healthy pressure valve for spirited Whippy – Knight vs. Radrodro case is the
statement of “when used correctly, can and often suppressed views. There are first and for the moment only defamation
be an invaluable tool for… encouraging also a wide variety of constructive digital case through social media in Fiji. There is
healthy discourse” only reaffirms the Fijian citizens, who will often critique all a legal precedent on social media use and
obvious for the constructive and engaged prevalent views providing some essence defamatory remarks that is set but apart
digital Fijian citizens. of balance. This is evident in the critical from this, there are crucial questions that
Most of the notoriety has been gener- questions that are not only generated need to be considered.
ated on interactive platforms or social towards government and its policies but Can a more holistic advocacy and educa-
networking sites (SNS) such as Facebook. also towards opposition parties. tional approach, discouraging digital devi-
It is worth acknowledging that there are It has then created a multifaceted ance be at least broached simultaneously
a variety of other social networking sites dynamic, within Fiji’s digital sphere as with the current plans?
that are active in Fiji, such as Twitter, In- daily online content continues to reveal Will ‘regulation’ harm healthy digital
stagram, Snapchat, Pinterest and Tumblr. challenged principles, policies as well as discourse and constructive dissent?
However, Facebook is the most heavily personalities. Burgeoning digital citizen What guarantee do constructive digital
engaged and prominent social networking engagement has created a vibrant scope of Fijian citizens have that their responsible
site in Fiji’s digital landscape. Facebook discourse towards what was once thought free speech will not be used against them
in Fiji now has an estimated 490,000 of as an impenetrable status quo. The most by the state? How will the planned regu-
accounts, ranging in age from 13 to well recent and notable example of constructive lation affect political campaigning in this
over 65. Those within the age of 15-35 digital discourse was witnessed, when the year’s national elections?
account for 71% of Facebook account us- planned FJD35,000 COP 23 welcoming
ers. The Suva – Nausori corridor has the celebration, was questioned by a popular *Jope Tarai is a graduate researcher at USP
largest number of estimated accounts, at social media and local iconic personality. who has published using analytics tools and
over 330,000 accounts, with over 60% This led to its ‘clarification’ by the Attorney digital ethnography to examine online digital
of these within the ages of 18-35. The General and Minister Responsible for Cli- landscapes, in Fiji and the Pacific. His other
greater affordability of digital devices and mate Change Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum. This research interests include Tuna Diplomacy, Re-
interconnectivity has hastened the expan- instance not only validates constructive gionalism and Politics in Fiji and the Pacific. He’s
sion of Fiji’s digital landscape. This is most digital citizen engagement but encour- on jopetarai7@gmail.com

Islands Business, March 2018 31