The authorities of Mauritius on Friday (Nov. 1) banned access to social media websites ahead of parliamentary elections on Nov. 10.
The directive was launched by the nationwide communications regulator, which said social media websites will be banned until Nov. 11, the day after the election.
The unheard of social media ban follows a wiretapping scandal which rocked the nation closing month when recorded conversations of politicians, change of us, and participants of civil society had been leaked on social media.
In accordance to media freedom advocacy neighborhood Journalists Without Borders, the recorded conversations of 5 famend journalists had been additionally published on social media.
The authorities of the Indian Ocean island nation, which has a inhabitants of 1.2 million, has claimed that these leaks are a threat to nationwide security and advised the communications authority to suspend all access to social media.
“The ICT Authority wishes to negate the final public that in response to concerns relating to illegal postings that direct a extreme threat to nationwide security and public safety, it has purchased directives in the evening of 31 October 2024, to speak all Web Provider Providers to like a flash suspend access to all social media platforms until 11 November 2024”, the Info and Dialog Expertise Authority said on Friday.
Network provider supplier EMTEL said on Friday it may maybe maybe perchance presumably follow the directive and person skills will be “gradually disrupted”.
“EMTEL understands the anxiety that this action shall motive to its customers but reiterates that it has no alternative diversified than to follow ICTA directive”, it said.
Native media on Friday quoted an announcement from the high minister’s office pronouncing the suspension of social media was very crucial to protect nationwide security and the nation’s integrity.
It said a crisis committee was assembly to own “reward dangers”.
Top Minister Pravind Jugnauth is seeking a second term in energy
