University questions effectiveness of Online Safety Act

The University of Fiji has called for a review of the Online Safety Act, questioning whether legislation alone can guarantee online safety in an increasingly digital world.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Shaista Shameem presented the university's submission during a public consultation on the Online Safety Act review at the institution's Saweni campus in Lautoka this week.

Professor Shameem said online safety was an important issue for the university because of its reliance on the internet and the widespread use of social media among students.

“We know that everybody is on Facebook, and our students are on social media all the time. So, it is very important for us to be part of the conversation taking place now with the Law Reform Commission,” she said.

The university made an extensive submission on the Online Safety Act, arguing that the legislation requires a review.

“We have needed a review because it is already provided for in the statute that the Act should be reviewed every two years.

“We have not heard that it has been reviewed. We understand it has been reviewed, but the findings have not been made public. We would like those findings to be released for public consumption as well.”

Professor Shameem said a review would help determine which aspects of the legislation had worked and which had not.

“It is a 2018 law that was enacted before COVID-19. The pandemic opened up the internet more than ever before, and people now rely heavily on online means of communication.

“We think it is important for us to have a say in how the legislation is reformed. The main feature of the Act is safety, but can we guarantee safety through legislative means alone? That is what we should be looking at when it comes to any piece of legislation.”

She said the Act affected everyone.

“We are all on Facebook, other social media platforms, or online looking for information. To me, the most important thing is to distinguish between the right to information, the right to privacy and the right to safety.

“That is a significant balancing act that legislators will have to consider. Everyone should have access to information, but we must also consider which parts of that information can be conveyed safely to the citizens of Fiji.”

Public consultations continue this week in the Western Division before moving to the Northern Division.