Information Minister, Nana Grey Johnson, justified harsh law with claims that Gambians have waged concerted efforts "to pit people and security officials against their Government" (Photo Credit: MSJoof/TNBES/Globe/FPI) |
They do this by inciting the people to engage
in unpatriotic behaviour, spreading false news and engaging in criminal
defamation against Government officials, the Minister of Information,
Communication, and Information Infrastructure, said on Wednesday.
Tabling an
“Information and Communication (Amendment) Act 2013” which imposes a prison
term of 15 years or a fine of D3 million or both, Mr. Johnson said: “Such
tendencies, if unchecked are a recipe for chaos and instability in any
country.”
“Therefore, this
Bill seeks to provide for the deterrent punishment of such persons who are
engaged in such treacherous campaigns against The Gambia both internally and
outside The Gambia,” he said on 3 July, 2013 shortly before the Assembly
approve the Bill.
As an adjustment to the 2009
Information and Communication Act, the Information and Communication
(Amendment) Act 2013 reads:
Section 173A Internet related offences
(1)
A person commits an offence if he or she uses the internet to –
a.
Spread
false news against the Government or public officials;
b.
Incite
dissatisfaction or instigate violence against the Government or public
officials or
c.
Caricature,
abuse or make derogatory statements against the person or character of
officials
d.
Impersonate
any public official
e.
Blackmail
any person or
f.
Threaten
to commit a criminal offence against any person
(2) A person who
commits an offence under sub-section (1) is liable on conviction to a fine of
three million Dalasi or imprisonment for fifteen years or to both fine and
imprisonment.
(3) This section
shall apply to all persons without regard to the place from which the offence
was committed.
Supporting
the motion, Hon Seedy Njie, a nominated MP for Youths, said the world is
rapidly growing particularly on the side of technology.
As
such, criminal activities are related to technology and are on growth, hence,
this measure taken by The Gambia Government is a good move to deter criminals,
he said.
“People sit in their offices or sit
somewhere and conspire among themselves to bring chaos in their country by
publishing wrong messages,” he said, citing
the unrest in North Africa where citizens use the internet (social media) to
mobilise protests.
In
The Gambia, he said people have started to use the internet to blackmail the
Government and trying to put hatred towards the Government.
Hon
Fabakary Tombong Jatta, the Majority Leader and MP for Serrekunda East, said
freedom of speech, freedom of the press and all other freedoms - there is no
unlimited freedom.
“Freedom ask for responsible citizenship and responsible
behaviour and professionalism,” he said. “Something that would bring Gambia
into chaos and instability in name of irresponsible freedom would not be
allowed.”
According to him, the bill allows for anyone to speak
sincerely about anybody. What it does not allow is for the irresponsible
spreading of unnecessary and false rumours, unnecessary character
assassination, inciting violence based on your selfish interest.
He said they are aware of people who are been followed for
leaking out information, and others detained for years without trial in name of
security in the “so-called big democracies” – apparently refering to the
ordeals of United States citizens Edward Snowdown and Bradley Manning.
While
citing the unrest in Libya and Syria, Jatta reiterated that the bill will serve
as a deterrent.
Deputy
Speaker, Fatou Mbaye, said The Gambia is very peaceful country, and that the
country needs a regulation that will stop “unscrupulous” and “irresponsible
persons” from using the media to spread chaos and malicious information.
According
to her, senior Government officials are even afraid to pick up their phones to
respond to international calls, because you don’t even know who you are speaking
to, which is not fair to individuals or Gambia either.
Written by Modou S. Joof
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