Gabon Suspends Social Media Amid Unrest and Strikes
The Spin
Pro-government narrative
Gabon's social media suspension is a necessary defense against rampant hate speech, cyberbullying and misinformation that directly threaten national stability and social cohesion. The proliferation of defamatory content, doxing and targeted smear campaigns has reached dangerous levels that undermine human dignity and institutional integrity. Freedom of expression remains protected, but cannot be weaponized to violate the law or undermine public order.
Government-critical narrative
This disproportionate censorship crushes civil liberties and devastates Gabon's digital economy under the guise of security concerns. Cutting off millions from communication platforms eliminates alternative information channels and civic expression precisely when political accountability matters most. Small businesses, entrepreneurs and freelancers who depend on these platforms for customer relationships and sales now face economic collapse due to this indefinite shutdown.
