Recent reports in the media about a Guyanese from Essequibo who made threatening remarks against President David Granger have received a lot of attention. As most people know, social media, particularly Facebook, is a powerful tool of communication. This platform ensures that information can be transmitted within seconds and can be accessed by people around the world. But one thing is for sure: social media, while being a tool of communication, can be misused by people who are not aware of their responsibility when using social media. Most people are not aware who are reading their posts on these sites. It can get you into big trouble.
Guyanese tend to get into trouble with social media for a number of reasons. One, most Guyanese in Guyana are new to the use of social media. But it is a growing trend which is part of popular culture. Anyone looking at some of the comments that are being made on Facebook will be appalled at the use of unflattering and obscene language.
Two, many of these people are not aware of the implications of their posts on these sites. Once posted, the information has a global reach for everyone to see. I remember a case where accusations were made against an individual regarding sexual harassment. The victim later recanted the allegations and recalled the information. However, the damage was already done. The accusations were flying like crazy from place to place because the person who was being accused was already determined as being guilty in the court of public opinion. Even when the accusations were withdrawn, people continued to believe the accusations. A person’s reputation can be severely damaged in such cases.
Three, many social media users are addicted to this use of modern technology. They are often not educated or trained to understand the nature of the dangers of their postings, or the responsibilities that accompany such postings. This is also the case with Guyanese. Many reputable companies around the world are now asking prospective employees to show them their Facebook page just to ensure that whatever information is posted may not place the company in a negative image.
This brings us to the Essequibian who was accused of threatening the life of the President. It was reported that the CID was questioning a 52-year-old woman, Bibi Safaoora Salim who made unflattering comments on her Facebook post. At the time of writing, it seems that her comments may have been supported by a few other persons who responded to her post. I am guessing that based on the comments, Ms Salim was an angry person who is peeved over the loss of a job, which she blames on the new Government.
The laws of Guyana provides for a Racial Hostility Act (Chapter 23:01) which stipulates that perpetrators could be charged for attempting “to incite excitement, hostility or ill-will on grounds of race” and that “a person shall be guilty of an offence if he willfully excites or attempts to excite hostility or ill-will against any section of the public or against any person on the grounds of their or his race…” The law also provides for a fine of ,000 and two years’ imprisonment for anyone convicted of such an offence.
If Ms Salim is guilty of anything it is that her words were uttered during a moment of anger. It was in response to a perceived grievance which she attributed to President Granger. There is no credible indication that this lady has taken steps to carry out her threat (because she obviously did not intend to carry out this act). Nor does her history indicate that she has a criminal background in Guyana. This is substantiated by the fact that there is no evidence linking her words to any planned actions designed to inflict harm on the President. As such, her words, as silly as they sound, are not considered “hate speech”. I suspect a warning from the authorities might be enough to put this matter to rest. The lesson learnt here is that free speech is not absolute. Words uttered on social media can get you into trouble. Be careful what you post on social media.
