Gambians living in the country are facing what may best be described as internet censorship by the state.
Smartphone users via Viber and Line have discovered blockage of these online communication applications.
Though it is not yet clear who is behind the blockage, but it is known that President Yahya Jammeh’s government has been very much distrustful of the widespread internet use among Gambians.
Last year, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services like Skype and dating websites were targets of a state crackdown.
The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA), a multi-sectoral regulator established under the law had last year issued a prohibition to companies and individuals operating through Internet cafes and offering dating services and VoIP services.
Following an outcry from internet service providers and users, the government later relented and allowed citizens to continue enjoying Skype, but it did not shy away from justifying PURA’s decision as a drive to protect consumers and “the national interest”.
According to the government, it was necessary for the regulatory body to draw the attention of all operators of Internet cafes of the “criminal act” that “deprives” registered internet service providers and the national Treasury of revenue.
(Ordinarily internet cafes pay connection fees to ISPs).
{{Harsh internet laws}}
As if that was not enough, on July 5, 2013, Gambia’s parliament passed an information and communication law which contained several new offences on online speech that are punishable by a 15-year jail term or a fine of three million Dalasis (approximately $80,000).
The aw criminalises whoever spreads “false news” about the government or public officials, “caricatures” or makes derogatory statements against public officials, incites disaffection or instigates violence against the government.
The current blockage of Viber and Line have caused fears that Facebook and Skype may also be targeted because the other websites critical of the government and of President Jammeh cannot be accessed by those who do not know how to use anonymous browsers.
Gambians, especially those in the diaspora, widely use social media, blogs and online newspapers to criticise Jammeh’s regime.
The government is patently uncomfortable with the use of social media and internet-based communication applications by Gambians, especially the young people.
This discomfort is evident at political gatherings where politicians caution parents against allowing their children to browse online newspapers, especially the online Freedom newspaper published by exiled Gambian journalist Pa Nderry M’bai.
{{Concern of users}}
Local users of smart phones, laptops, and computers all complain of the difficulties of accessing blocked applications.
Critical websites like Gambia Echo, Gainako, Kibaaro News, Kairo News, Senegambia News, Jollof News, American Street News, Gambia Dispatch, Hello Gambia among others published by the Gambians in the diaspora are seen by the State as purveyors of dissent.
Besides blockage, computer technicians raise the danger many internet users could face of online surveillance.
Syria, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, China and Myanmar are other countries that put tight restrictions on internet usage. Lately they have been joined by Turkey, Sri Lanka and Malaysia.
“Any government that does not want a pluralistic media environment and does not allow freedom of expression will only invite criticism from hardcore critics out of its reach,” says a veteran Gambian journalist who does most of his work online.
He described it a waste of resources to give unnecessary attention to the internet and its related communication channels when there are serious development deficiencies in the country.
NMG
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