Opposition MP Faiyaz Koya has urged the Government to act swiftly on law reforms aimed at tackling cyberbullying, child sexual abuse material, and other online harms, warning that Fiji cannot afford to delay.
"This is actually quite a timely ministerial statement, Sir, because it's an area that requires us to deal with it in a very swift and strong manner," Mr Koya told Parliament in response to Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica's update on telecommunications and online safety laws.
"I think the task force has a huge, huge task at hand to deal with the problems that we face, especially in light of the fact that, as the onboard minister mentioned, there's a lot going on around the world. One of the best examples of how it's actually been dealt with really well is currently Australia."
He said urgent areas, particularly those involving children, should not have to wait for lengthy taskforce processes.
"There are some laws that can be addressed immediately. We found it being required to go through the whole process before we attend to it. And I specifically refer to with respect to children ... it's not something that we need to rehash, but it is something that we need to do in order for the protection of our children with respect to cyber bullying and ... child sexual abuse material. These things ... need to be dealt with immediately."
Mr Koya said Fiji should learn from countries that had already introduced strong protections and tougher penalties.
"There are several countries that have also found the right balance in terms of the freedoms that are afforded to us within our Constitution. The freedom is there, but there are limitations to it, and I think there'll probably be more limitations to it because of the opening up of social media."
He also raised concerns over artificial intelligence, saying it had become "a phenomenal area" of abuse online.
"One of the important things that we must remember, artificial intelligence can now create, for example, ... they could create a you without you even knowing and conduct something or another," he said.
Mr Koya said stronger punishments were needed to deter offenders. "Our commissioner and our commission must be empowered, and the punishments ... need to be very strong, so as to deter.
"Sometimes our gullibility ... is actually quite serious; it's probably just our nature, but it's now become a very nasty tool for people to use online for abuse or bullying."
He concluded by pledging the Opposition's support for the taskforce's work.
"All in all, sir, complete support for the task force, and if we can be of any assistance to the minister with respect to what needs to come out, happily do so."