Papua New Guinea: Concerns around use of cybercrime law to criminalise expression, new social media policy and Starlink internet disruption

Papua New Guinea’s civic space is rated as ‘obstructed’ by the CIVICUS Monitor. Among concerns previously documented are the harassment and threats against human rights defenders, particularly those working on land and environmental rights, use of the cybercrime law to criminalise online expression, intimidation and restrictions against journalists, and excessive force during protests. There is still no freedom of information legislation and a national human rights body has yet to be established.

In recent months, the government has used the Cybercrime Act 2016 to arrest at least two individuals for their comments online. There are concerns about freedom of expression, access to information and privacy rights following the approval of a new social media policy. The government has halted the operations of internet company Starlink, that has impacted access to education, healthcare and services in the country, especially in rural areas.

Expression

Individual arrested for social media post critical of a minister

On 12th October 2025, police arrested Ronald Banipi (photo above) in Port Moresby following a formal complaint by State-Owned Enterprise Minister William Duma regarding a social media post on Banipi’s Facebook page.

The post in question featured a caption written by Banipi accompanying a shared news article from The National’s online page.

According to the Police File / Information sheet, Ronald's caption read: "Who was the Minister under this portfolio for more than 10 years? Someone lost their mind."

Banipi - from East Sepik Province - was taken to the Cybercrime Office at the 7 Mile Police Station in Port Moresby for interrogation where arresting officer Detective Zina Afuti charged Banipi with one count of defamatory publication under Section 21(2) of the Cybercrime Act 2016, alleging the post damaged the Minister’s reputation and credibility.

Banipi was detained in the Boroko Police Station cells before being released on 13th October 2025 on K5,000 (USD 1,172) bail. The bail was made mandatory for all cybercrime offences in October 2025 by the Metropolitan Superintendent’s Office in Port Moresby.

After three months of attending five consecutive court dates, on 18th December 2025, Banipi’s cybercrime court case was struck out by Principal Magistrate Paul Puri Nii at the Waigani District Court due to consecutive adjournments without the police file being ready.

The 2016 Cybercrime Act has been used to silence criticism and creates a chilling effect. The law has been criticised by the opposition, journalists and activists for its impact on freedom of expression and political discourse. In recent years, the law was used to arrest human rights defender human rights defender and ACT NOW Campaign Manager Eddie Tanago and journalist Hennah Joku for their online comments.

Individual arrested under the Cybercrime Act in Wapenamanda

On 9th January 2026, it was reported that a man had been arrested and charged under the Cybercrime Act for his comments against the Pyapin Wauni and Wauni Isane clans in the Minamb Constituency of Wapenamanda, Enga Province.

Acting Enga Provincial Police Commander, Chief Inspector Kelly Sombe, confirmed that the suspect, Steven Puliplya, 65, from the Ambulin Tribe of Wapenamanda, allegedly produced and circulated an audio recording making serious accusations against the Pyapin clan of the Wauni tribe. Chief Inspector Sombe said the audio recording allegedly accused the clan of harbouring, aiding and abetting armed men from the Palinau tribe amid ongoing tribal conflicts in the area.

Police also allege that the audio recording, which was translated from the Engan vernacular, made claims that members of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force had supplied weapons and ammunition to certain tribes involved in the conflict.

Following the complaint, police arrested Puliplya. He was later transported to Wabag, where he was cautioned, charged and detained at the police station. Puliplya was charged with cyber harassment under Section 23(1)(a)(ii) of the Cybercrime Act.

Age restrictions and registration required to access social media

Papua New Guinea has approved a Social Media Policy 2025 that has raised concerns around freedom of expression, access to information and privacy rights.

According to reports, the policy bars anyone age 16 or below from using certain platforms, deemed inappropriate. Further, users aged 14 and above will require to register for a SevisPass digital ID before accessing platforms like Facebook, TikTok, Instagram and X.

The government said the changes were needed to stop online abuse, fake news and scams. Social media companies will also have to register in PNG and follow local laws, and a new national e-Safety Directorate will be set up to monitor harmful content.

However, the new policy to regulate online platforms has fuelled public concern over access to information and raised fears of potential censorship.

Transparency International activist Yuambari Haihuie said safer online spaces should come through education and media literacy, and not government restrictions.

Jonathan Makil, a political science student at the University of Papua New Guinea, said: “On paper it sounds like protection, but in reality it could silence people who rely on Facebook or TikTok to speak out”.

Emmanuel Tipi, a comedian known as KabbageGang on Facebook, said: “If the government introduces heavy-handed regulations such as ID registration, it risks silencing voices, especially those who rely on humour and creativity to educate and engage. People may feel less free to interact, comment, or share because of fear of surveillance.”

Starlink internet ban causes severe disruption for health, education and media

In mid-December 2025, the National Information and Communications Technology Authority (NICTA) ordered Starlink to halt operations because it was not licensed in PNG. Starlink, owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, is a satellite internet company that provides internet to remote places. The agency say they are "legally restrained" by the country's Ombudsman Commission, which has blocked Starlink's licensing since March 2024 over reliability issues.

Starlink terminals served thousands of people, including some entire villages or districts in remote areas in the country. The service was mostly used in rural areas where mobile networks are unreliable or do not exist.

The ban has created frustration as businesses, health providers and communities struggle without access to internet services. Health workers and teachers have also said losing Starlink has affected their work and access to services. Businesses have said their ability to reach customers and process payments has been disrupted, and some farmers and traders now have to travel long distances to towns to access banking and other services.

Health worker Theresa Juni, from East Sepik province, said Starlink helped her clinic communicate with doctors in town and send reports quickly. “Now we have to wait days or travel just to send information. For patients who need urgent care, these delays can be dangerous.”

East Sepik Governor Allan Bird said essential services were being impacted. "In my province, we have a flying ambulance service who have been using these devices to get information across to get people to the main hospital ... and now they're struggling."