The Online Safety Act 2018 remains in place to shield people from harmful social media content, but there is a pressing need for adequate funding for the Online Safety Commission (OSC) to fulfill its duties.
This sentiment was expressed by prominent Suva lawyer Jon Apted, in response to a recent alleged cyberbullying incident that may have led to a tragic loss of life. Apted highlighted that the first Commissioner, Anne Dunn, had made significant strides in public awareness and establishing relationships with key stakeholders such as the police and social media platforms. However, since her resignation, the Commission’s visibility and the awareness of its role and the Act appear to have diminished.
“I don’t know what the budget is, but there’s a huge gap in public awareness of and the enforcement of the law,” Apted remarked. He added that the recent tragic event underscores the necessity for the government to rejuvenate the Commission and allocate suitable human and financial resources for it to function effectively.
Apted emphasized the importance of appointing a suitably qualified director and noted that the Commission is empowered to communicate with social media platforms to issue takedown orders. “As the national regulator, they’re entitled to deal with platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or X to secure takedown orders, making it crucial for the Commission to be properly staffed and resourced. This is vital for safeguarding people’s mental health and children’s safety.”
He also stated that there is no need to amend the law, but the OSC must be adequately resourced to perform its public education and law enforcement roles. “The Commission needs to enhance its awareness programs and take visible enforcement action to make the public aware of the consequences of their actions,” Apted concluded.