Libreville, Gabon — On March 26, 2026, Germain Ngoyo Moussavou, President of the Gabonese High Authority for Communication (HAC), met with officials from Reporters Without Borders (RSF) in Paris. The meeting focused on the HAC’s recent decision to temporarily suspend access to certain social media platforms, a move that has garnered considerable attention and controversy.
During the discussions, Moussavou explained the rationale behind the suspension, arguing that it was a necessary and beneficial step in the face of disinformation threats that undermine national unity and internal security. He reassured RSF that the HAC and the Gabonese executive do not intend to infringe upon public freedoms, including freedom of expression and the press.
Moussavou emphasized the dangers of cyberbullying and online hate, which he said cannot be underestimated. He further explained that the temporary measure is crucial to establish legal frameworks that govern social media and ensure a responsible digital ecosystem, adhering to national and international laws.
RSF officials expressed their understanding of the HAC’s concerns but also emphasized the importance of not prolonging the temporary measure. They reaffirmed RSF’s commitment to safeguarding press and expression freedoms and expressed willingness to assist Gabon in developing legal mechanisms for better social media regulation and protecting freedom of expression and press within the country.
Source: Agpgabon
