South Sudan has lifted its ban on Facebook and TikTok, which was imposed due to violent content online. The National Communications Authority confirmed the removal of graphic content related to protests. Officials stress the importance of addressing the root causes of violence linked to social media, while protecting citizens’ rights.
South Sudan has decided to lift its temporary ban on Facebook and TikTok, which had been enforced just the previous week. The ban was initially imposed in response to the circulation of troubling videos that depicted alleged killings of South Sudanese citizens in Sudan.
The National Communications Authority, in a correspondence dated January 27, stated that the graphic content connected to violent protests and retaliatory actions occurring nationwide had been successfully removed from the platforms. This removal contributed to the decision to restore access to these social media services.
Napoleon Adok Gai, the director of the National Communications Authority, emphasized the importance of a balanced response to violence linked to social media content in South Sudan. He stated that there is a need to tackle the underlying causes of online incitement while simultaneously safeguarding the rights of the populace.
In related developments earlier this month, rights organizations have accused the Sudanese army and its allied forces of conducting ethnically motivated assaults on civilians in El Gezira, Sudan. This situation arose after the army captured Wad Madani from the paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces.
The Sudanese army, for its part, responded by condemning what they referred to as “individual violations,” which were graphically depicted in videos and widely disseminated through social media.
The decision to lift the ban on Facebook and TikTok in South Sudan follows the discovery of violent content linked to protests against the Sudanese army and its actions in neighboring Sudan. This context underscores critical issues surrounding social media’s influence on public unrest and violence within the region, motivating the National Communications Authority to act in response to the graphic material circulating online.
The lifting of the ban on Facebook and TikTok in South Sudan reflects an effort to balance the protection of civil liberties with the need to address the detrimental impacts of social media on societal violence. Authorities aim to ensure that while online platforms are accessible, they also implement measures to minimize the risk of incitement and unrest among citizens.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
