Try and see – Kofi Bentil dares Ursula Owusu-Ekuful on regulating internet use

Vice President of policy think-tank, Imani Ghana, Kofi Bentil reacted strongly to suggestions by the Communications Minister Ursula Owusu-Ekuful that internet usage would be regulated if unethical use and abuse continue, daring the Minister to “try and see”

“Hubris!!! Even thinking about regulating internet. Who the hell will decide what abuse is? Try and see…,” Mr Bentil wrote in reaction to the news on social media sighted by MyNewsGh.com

Madam Owusu-Ekuful had explained that regulation could be activated if acts such as impersonation, fake news, degrading acts and abuse continued.

In an interview with GhanaWeb.com recently, he had said: “In certain countries, there have been calls for social media to be shut down because of its abuse but like I indicated in my speech, I don’t think that’s an option. However, we need to promote more responsible use of the internet to secure the privacy of all citizens online – children, the vulnerable – and to ensure that we do not overstep those bounds…”

“If we don’t self-regulate, the state will be compelled to set in place the mechanisms to regulate our usage of the internet,” Owusu-Ekuful advised.

“However, in crafting cybersecurity laws, we should also be mindful of individual liberties and freedoms so we strike that fine balance between all these competing needs in protecting the citizens, protecting the security of the state and ensuring that the internet is available for lawful use by all and not restricting its usage while protecting the vulnerable online.”

Source: Mynewsgh.com