MANAGUA/CANBERRA – Nicaragua has introduced a law that will allow the government to imprison those spreading “alarm” or “fear” in the society – a move that has been criticized the opposition for being designed to silence the critics.

On the other hand, Australia may become the first country in the world to ban children from using social media, as it is now widely believed and proven by researches that that platforms like Instagram and TikTok are negatively affecting their physical and mental health.

In Managua, the parliament, dominated by the supporters of strongman Daniel Ortega passed the law that outlines prison sentences of up to five years and fines.

For publications that are considered to promote discrimination, hate or violence, or those that endanger social and economic stability, the penalty can be up to 10 years.

‘POLICY OF TRANSNATIONAL REPRESSION’

The latest legislation updated the cybercrime law introduced in 2020, which has led to the arrest of many government opponents who have been accused of propagating “fake news” or disinformation.

In its reaction, the opposition media in exile dubbed the move as “gag law”. The critics say would, in effect, ensure total control over social media networks.

They say it is an extension of Ortega’s “transnational repression”, a policy which is described as silencing those individuals who live outside their country of origin through stifling dissent and violating international human rights and the laws of host countries.

WHO IS ORTEGA?

Ortega became the leader of Nicaragua first as a junta head in 1979, after fighting as a guerrilla in the Sandinista movement that toppled the US-backed Somoza family dictatorship.

He was later elected president in 1985.

Beaten in elections in 1990, he returned to power in 2007 and has since quashed presidential term limits and seized control of all branches of the state.

CHILDREN TO BE BANNED

Earlier this week, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his government will launch an age verification trial in the coming months ahead of the introduction of legislation to enforce a ban.

Albanese said his center-left Labor Party government is considering a minimum age of between 14 and 16 to use social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

“Parents want their kids off their phones and on the footy field. So do I,” Albanese told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. “We are taking this action because enough is enough.”

Meanwhile, even the center-right Liberal Party has previously expressed support for banning social media for those under 16 years old.

THE GREAT DEBATE

It is a fact that dictatorships and authoritarian states do not digest their rivals. They always control the media. Previously, it was just mainstream media, but the arrival of social media has added another dimension.

However, even the leaders developed countries in the West are now listing propaganda as the greatest threat to democracy. This comes at a time when billionaires like Elon Musk are promoting the far right on their social media platforms and openly siding with the authoritarian elements such as Donald Trump.

No doubt the idea of liberal democracy needs to be adjusted according to latest technological developments that have unleashed unprecedented economic and social changes.

Also read: Preserve democracy, no room for political violence: Biden

There are other issues like health too as suggested by the Australian government, which have been causing social distress in the society across the globe, pushing the young people towards criminal and extremist elements.

However, defining the balancing act remains a huge challenge amid a scenario where the far-right groups around the world are using free speech – the basic tenant of democracy – as a right to come into power for curbing the very democratic ideals.