Del Gibson Kanai, who was last week a subject of a deluge of criticism, is now acknowledging the importance of social media outlets in “allowing for the free flow of information and expression.”
Kanai yesterday authored a resolution “urging the Ministry of State to establish an online platform to disseminate accurate and complete information to the Palauan public regarding governmental affairs, current laws, and other pertinent information.”
House Joint Resolution 10-33-85 also noted that the Olbiil Era Kelulau recognizes the constitutional right to freedom of the press and expression.
Last week Delegate Kanai said that during a statement he made during a session was interpreted as denying Palauan social media forums rights to expression, which sparked criticism from many Palauan citizens but the lawmaker, however, denied that his comments during the September 9 session were aimed at banning social media forums but instead help fund an agency to ensure that information about the government is disseminated properly and correctly.
The resolution introduced by Kanai urges the Ministry of State, which is responsible for the Bureau of Domestic Affairs to employ a staff to be responsible for the online media platform, which should be tasked of informing the public up-to-date information about government information.
Kanai in the resolution also agrees that the government should be transparent in its operations and that the online platform will serve as “a reliable primary source for up-to-date information for both private media outlets and the public.”
The lawmaker was earlier criticized for appearing to lay the groundwork to ban or censor groups’ comments on the social media, which to many was a blatant curtailment of the freedom of speech and expression.
In an interview yesterday, Kanai reiterated his belief in the freedom of speech and expression and that he will not make any move to crack down on social media groups but rather give them access to correct information. (Bernadette H. Carreon)