NEWS reports published in local newspapers show that the government itself is defying its own ban on social media site Facebook. Citing possibility of terrorist threats to the nation and cyber crimes, the Posts and Telecommunications Ministry imposed the ban on November 18th but a number of Ministers, lawmakers, ruling party leaders, high officials, and wings of different Ministries have been using the most popular social media platform almost regularly, disregarding the ban completely. Many government officials and high-ups posted photos, shared links, and updated their statuses in their official and personal Facebook accounts. The government warned tough action against people who bypassed the ban and used Facebook through alternative means (which is deemed as a violation of law) and news reports conform that a number of common users have also been arrested in this regard but no such action has been taken against the government members and ruling party activists for using the site for personal usages or party propaganda. In fine, use of this hi-tech communication media has become a single track affair.
At first when the ban was imposed, it seemed like a ridiculous move made to distract the general public from actual issues. Now it has become an issue of unfairness and blatant hypocrisy on part of the government as its own members are enjoying the benefits of Facebook use but still depriving millions of others in the name of security. On one hand, the government has not been able to give a valid justification supporting the ban as cyber criminals or terrorists can easily use Facebook through proxy servers, not to mention the fact that at most they can use Facebook to spread propaganda. On the other hand, the level of hyprocrisy is staggering as government officials themselves are ignoring their own ban and using the site. It is inhetently unfair and if the ban is to be imposed, it should apply to everyone, not just regular citizens of Bangladesh.
Stopping access to Facebook of the mass people does not achieve any purpose and only infringes their right to a ‘digital communication device.’ Not only that, the ban is hurting online and other businesses as Facebook has become a commerce platform in Bangladesh and restrictions on it has caused many to incur losses. News reports added that the government may lift the ban soon based on talks with Facebook officials but that again does not justify the ban in the first place. If one has a headache, they do.not chop the head off but instead look for ways to relieve the pain using remedies. If there are crimes or threats present in social media, stopping access to Facebook will not solve it, anti-crime measures will.
