General Secretary of Malaita Ma’asina Forum (MMF) Charles Ashley says there is a big difference in how MMF and Forum Solomon Islands International (FSII) involved in political issues, despite both being registered under the Charitable Act.
MR Ashley told the Solomon Star that FSII Facebook page is an unregulated medium used by the group to bombard the government with serious allegations, and to make things worse is these people were using pen names to attack the politicians.
He said, FSII has allows a lot of discussion full of defamation to continue in their forum, without controlling opinions expressed, which most of them is full of abusive words.
Mr Ashley said, freedom of expression has a limit to it, thus it must not be abused by public who used face book to throw mud on the other person.
He said, what is more common in FSII is they started with a topic then the rest of the comments that followed were about the person.
“They rubbish someone in the forum and hide behind masks,” he said. “What is the intention of this?” he questioned
He said there is no law stopping any group to involve in political issues, but we must stop entertaining ghost identity and defamation, because no one has the right to tarnish the other person’s reputation.
“Our freedom of expression does not include swearing,” he warned.
The MMF general secretary said government is concern on this because if this is allowed to happen there would be no respect in the society.
Ashley said in comparison, MMF has been long established and it is a well-known organisation in the country that deals with issues of Malaita, but now has taken on-board national issues.
He said, MMF do consultations before releasing any information to the public.
Finally, he said Prime Minister does not have the authority to de-register any charitable group, as the power lies on the registrar of companies, but again everyone must control what they share with the public, especially on politics.
By AATAI JOHN
