Freedom of expression, hate speech and regulation of social media: a case study of Facebook and Twitter in Uganda.

Abstract

Internet technology is a game-changer in the way Ugandans access information and communicate especially Web 2:0. Social media use in Uganda has enabled freedom of expression, and human connection through sharing information, and opinions, and holding duty bearers accountable without restraint. However, it is not all utopia because when humans gather in a space, conflict based on varying needs and interests is bound to arise. As a result, harmful behaviour such as hate speech are beginning to manifest. To ensure that Ugandans freely express themselves, the government has developed several laws and policies among which is the Computer Misuse Act 2016. While these regulations are a welcome intervention, some of them have been criticised as tools to clampdown on dissenting Ugandan voices. Therefore, this study was carried out to assess the relationship between freedom of expression, hate speech, and regulation. It was guided by the specific objective that included examining how social media has facilitated freedom of expression in Uganda, the forms of hate speech manifested in Uganda and to assess the existing social media regulatory policy framework in Uganda.

The study adopted both qualitative and quantitative research design through purposive sampling to select both Facebook and Twitter users. The sample size of the study was 116 respondents from a survey and 2 key informants from government institutions, UCC personnel, assistant superintendent of Uganda at the Cyber Crimes, as well as four Focus Group Discussions, and three Civil Digital Rights Civil Society organisations. Data was collected and analysed using the Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS). The study established that online users use social media for receiving news and information, interacting with friends, and it was found out that people in Uganda are free to express themselves the way they want on Facebook and Twitter in spite of restrictive regulations. Further, the study found that there are various forms of hate speech manifestation in Uganda such as inciting violence and discrimination, hostility through prejudice, threats to individuals or groups and use of actions that insinuates hate speech manifestations Lastly, the study established that Social media is not well regulated in Uganda. The existing laws such as the Computer Misuse Act 2011, Anti-pornography Act 2016, the Electronic Regulation Act and Uganda Communications Act are not sufficient in regulating online interactions in Uganda. It is for this reason that the study recommends a multi-stakeholder approach to governing online spaces to ensure peaceful co-existence on social media in Uganda.